Japanese word

小遣い

Pronunciation

Romajikozukai

Meaning

  • nounallowance

Example

毎月の小遣いは五千円です。mai tsuki no ko zuka i wa go sen en de su

My monthly allowance is 5,000 yen.

Illustration for 小遣い (allowance)

More examples

子どもたちは毎週、小遣いの使い道を考えます。ko do mo ta chi wa mai shū ko zuka i no tsuka i michi o kanga e ma su

Every week, the children think about how to spend their allowance.

Core concept

Describes a limited amount of personal spending money supplied for everyday small purchases.

Common phrases

  • 小遣いをもらうko zuka i o mo ra u

    get an allowance

Similar words

小遣い銭kozukaizeni: A small amount of money for personal spending, often given regularly to a child.
ポケットマネーpokettomanē: Money from a person's own funds that can be spent freely on personal needs.

Definition in Japanese

日々の細かな買い物などに使うために決めて渡される個人用の金銭。hi bi no koma ka na ka i mono na do ni tsuka u ta me ni ki me te wata sa re ru ko jin yō no kin sen

Word origin

小遣い (kozukai) is formed from 小 (ko, "small") and 遣い (zukai, "use or spending"), a noun related to 遣う (tsukau, "to use or spend").

Usage tips

  • English allowance often suggests money given to a child, whereas 小遣い (kozukai) also commonly describes an adult's money for personal daily expenses.

Word lists with this word