Translation and Meaning of: 利子 - rishi

The Japanese word 「利子」 (rishi) refers to the concept of "interest" in financial contexts. It is commonly used to describe the amount of money that an entity, such as a bank or a borrower, pays in exchange for the possibility of using a certain amount of borrowed money. In other words, it is the cost of borrowing money. This idea of interest is universally understood and applied in financial systems around the world.

Etymologically, 「利子」 (rishi) is composed of two kanji: 「利」 and 「子」. The kanji 「利」 (ri) means "profit" or "benefit", reflecting the advantageous nature of interest for the lender. On the other hand, 「子」 (shi) has the primary meaning of "child" or "kid", but in this context, it acts as a semantic complement particle, often used in compound words without a direct relation to its original meaning. This composition of kanji expresses the idea of financial gain through lending.

The historical origin of interest charges dates back to ancient times and is not limited to Japan. Ancient civilizations, such as Sumer and Babylon, already practiced the charging of interest many centuries before Christ. In Japan, this practice gained structure and formality mainly during the Meiji period, when the modern financial system began to develop more intensively. During this time, international trade and interaction with Western economies introduced more regulated and uniform forms of finance, including the calculation and charging of interest.

The use of 「利子」 is essential in financial vocabulary and can be found in various contexts, from personal banking transactions to complex international negotiations. Related terms that often appear include 「貸出金利」 (kashidashikinri, interest rate on loans) and 「預金利息」 (yokinrisoku, interest on deposits), both variations that expand the understanding of the concept of interest in the Japanese economic system.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

利息 (Risoku) - Interest, the amount paid for the use of borrowed or deposited capital.
利益 (Rieki) - Profit, the difference between revenues and expenses, indicating financial gain.
利得 (Ritoku) - Gain refers to a benefit or advantage obtained from a situation.
利潤 (Rijun) - Operating profit, specifically the profit that a company generates from its core activities.