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:

手元にはお金がありません。

temoto ni wa okane ga arimasen

I have no money with me.

I have no money in hand.

• 手元には - "in my hand"
• お金が - "money"
• ありません - "there is not/I do not have"

料金はいくらですか？

Ryōkin wa ikura desu ka?

What is the price?

How much does this cost?

• 料金 - means "price" in Japanese.
• は - It is a topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "price".
• いくら - means "how much" in Japanese and is used to ask about the price of something.
• ですか - It is a polite way to ask in Japanese, equivalent to "is" or "are" in English.

時は金なり

Toki wa kin nari

Time is money.

Time is money

• 時 - means "time" in Japanese
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 金 - "ouro" em japonês significa "金" (kin).
• なり - it is an ancient form of the verb "to be" in Japanese

沈黙は金で買えない。

Chinmoku wa kin de kaenai

Silence cannot be bought with money.

• 沈黙 - silence
• は - Topic marking particle
• 金 - money
• で - marking particle of means/instrument
• 買えない - cannot be bought

私は毎月貯金をしています。

Watashi wa maitsuki chokin o shiteimasu

I save money every month.

I save every month.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 毎月 (maitsuki) - Japanese adverb meaning "every month"
• 貯金 (chokin) - 日本語の名詞で「貯金」を意味します。
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• しています (shiteimasu) - Japanese verb that means "I am doing" (polite form)

私は貯金からお金を引き出す必要があります。

Watashi wa chokin kara okane o hikidasu hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to withdraw money from my savings.

I need to withdraw money from the economy.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 貯金 (chokin) - 日本語の名詞で「貯金」を意味します。
• から (kara) - Japanese particle that means "of"
• お金 (okane) - Japanese noun that means "money"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 引き出す (hikidasu) - Japanese verb that means "to withdraw."
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - Japanese adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります (arimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to exist"

私にはお金が要る。

Watashi ni wa okane ga iru

I need money.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for me"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "money"
• 要る (iru) - verb that means "to need"

私はお金の遣い方を学ぶ必要がある。

Watashi wa okane no tsukai kata o manabu hitsuyō ga aru

I need to learn the way to use money.

I need to learn how to spend money.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 遣い方 (tsukaikata) - noun that means "way of using/spending"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 学ぶ (manabu) - verb that means "to learn"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある (aru) - verb that means "to exist/to be present"

私はお金を蓄えることが大切だと思います。

Watashi wa okane o takuwaeru koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu

I think it's important to save money.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "money"
• 蓄える (takuwaeru) - verb meaning "to accumulate" or "to save"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an abstract action or event, in this case "saving"
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "save"
• 大切 (taisetsu) - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• だ (da) - auxiliary verb indicating the present affirmative form of the sentence
• と (to) - particle indicating a quotation or thought, in this case "I think"
• 思います (omoimasu) - verb meaning "to think" or "to believe"

私は毎月基金にお金を入れています。

Watashi wa maitsuki kikin ni okane wo ireteimasu

I put money on the investment fund every month.

I have money in the background every month.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎月 (maitsuki) - adverb that means "every month"
• 基金 (kikin) - noun that means "bottom" or "investment"
• に (ni) - Particle indicating the target of the action
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 入れています (ireteimasu) - compound verb meaning "to put" or "to deposit" (in the present continuous)