Translation and Meaning of: 金 - kane

Have you ever wondered what the Japanese word 金[かね] means? Whether for studies or curiosity, understanding this term goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in everyday Japan. Additionally, we will see tips for memorizing the kanji and interesting facts that make this word so special. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide accurate and useful information for those learning Japanese.

Meaning and translation of 金[かね]

The word 金[かね] has a direct meaning: "money." However, its usage goes beyond the financial sense. In Japanese, it can also refer to metals in general, especially gold. This duality of meanings makes the word interesting and versatile in everyday vocabulary.

In informal contexts, かね is often used to talk about financial resources. For example, when someone says "かねがない" (kane ga nai), it means "I don't have money." In compositions with other kanjis, such as 金曜日[きんようび] (Friday), the radical 金 takes on a more symbolic role, connected to the element metal in traditional culture.

Origin and writing of the kanji 金

The kanji 金 has a rich history. Its origin dates back to ancient China, where it represented the precious metal extracted from the earth. The character is composed of the metal radical (釒) and an element that symbolizes purity, reinforcing its connection with gold. This visual combination helps to understand why 金 carries such valuable meanings.

One tip for memorizing this kanji is to observe its structure. The lower lines resemble grains of sand, while the upper part suggests a protective roof. This mental image can help associate 金 with something precious being kept safe. It's worth noting that, in Japanese writing, this same kanji can be read as "kin" in words like 金庫[きんこ] (safe).

Cultural use and frequency of かね

In Japan, かね is a common word in daily life, but it carries important cultural nuances. Unlike Portuguese, where "dinheiro" is a neutral term, かね can have stronger connotations. In conversations, it is polite to avoid speaking directly about money, using indirect expressions when necessary.

Interestingly, 金 appears in several Japanese proverbs. One example is 金の切れ目が縁の切れ目 (kane no kireme ga en no kireme), which means "when money runs out, the relationship also ends." This type of expression shows how the concept of money is deeply connected to culture and social values in Japan.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 貨幣 (Kahi) - Currency; money in general.
• お金 (Okane) - Money; used in a more casual or common way.
• 現金 (Genkin) - Cash; physical currency.
• 資金 (Shikin) - Funds; capital allocated for a project or investment.
• 銭 (Zen) - Coin; often refers to an old monetary unit.
• 金銭 (Kinsen) - Money and assets; it encompasses the broader concept of monetary value.
• 金品 (Kinpin) - Valuable assets; it usually refers to items of value, not just money.
• 金属 (Kinzoku) - Metal; related to fine materials, not necessarily tied to the monetary concept.
• 金色 (Kiniro) - Golden color; referring to the color associated with gold.
• 金箔 (Kinpaku) - Gold leaf; used to cover surfaces or in crafts.

金

Romaji: kane
Kana: かね
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: money; metal

Meaning in English: money;metal

Definition: Gold: Refers to gold bars or gold coins. It is also made of gold.

Example Sentences - (金) kane

See below some example sentences:

私は財布からお金を取り出す必要があります。

Watashi wa saifu kara okane o toridasu hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to get money out of my wallet.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 財布 - Japanese noun that means "wallet"
• から - particle that indicates the origin of something, in this case "from the wallet"
• お金 - Japanese noun that means "money"
• を - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, in this case "money"
• 取り出す - Japanese verb that means "to withdraw."
• 必要 - Japanese noun meaning "need"
• が - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あります - Japanese verb meaning "to have", in the sense of "need to have"

私は銀行に預金をしました。

Watashi wa ginkou ni yokin wo shimashita

I deposited money in the bank.

I deposited the bank.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 銀行 - noun that means "bank"
• に - destination particle that indicates the location to which something is directed
• 預金 - noun that means "deposit"
• を - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• しました - verb in the past that means "did" or "performed"

私は友達にお金を貸すことができます。

Watashi wa tomodachi ni okane wo kasu koto ga dekimasu

I can lend money to my friend.

I can lend money to my friends.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 友達 - noun meaning "friend"
• に - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case, "for the friend"
• お金 - noun meaning "money"
• を - particle indicating the direct object of the action, in this case, "lend money"
• 貸す - verb meaning "to lend"
• こと - noun indicating action or event
• が - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• できます - verb meaning "to be able to do", conjugated in the present affirmative

私の時間割は毎週月曜日から金曜日までです。

Watashi no jikanwari wa maishuu getsuyoubi kara kin'youbi made desu

My schedule is Monday through Friday every Monday.

• 私の時間割 - "My schedule" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 毎週 - "Every week" in Japanese
• 月曜日 - "Monday" in Japanese
• から - "From" in Japanese
• 金曜日 - "Friday" in Japanese
• まで - "Until" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

税金を払うのは義務です。

Zeikin wo harau no wa gimu desu

Paying taxes is a must.

Payment of taxes is mandatory.

• 税金 - Tax
• を - object particle
• 払う - pay
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 義務 - Duty, obligation
• です - Verb to be in the polite form

補助金を申請する必要があります。

Hojokin wo shinsei suru hitsuyou ga arimasu

You need to apply for a subsidy.

• 補助金 - Subsídio
• を - object particle
• 申請する - request
• 必要があります - Is required

資金が必要です。

Shikin ga hitsuyou desu

I need funds.

I need funds.

• 資金 (shikin) - It means "funds" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - means "necessary" in Japanese
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence
• . (ponto) - punctuation mark that indicates the end of the sentence

送金をする必要があります。

Sōkin o suru hitsuyō ga arimasu

It is necessary to make a money transfer.

You need to send money.

• 送金 - Money transfer
• を - object particle
• する - verb "to do"
• 必要 - need
• が - subject particle
• あります - verb "to exist"