How do you use "Scratch" in a sentence?

I picked up some scratch doing odd jobs over the weekend. He doesn't have the scratch to fix his car right now. She's been saving every bit of scratch she can.

Scratch

Q: What does "Scratch" mean?

Money, especially a small or modest amount. 'Scratch' is an older slang term for money that's still used today. It often implies a modest amount — enough to get by. 'Scratching out a living' means barely making enough money to survive.

American Slang Term American ★★★☆☆ Moderate informal

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Meaning: Money, especially a small or modest amount.

钱，尤指少量或不多的钱。

Dinero, especialmente una cantidad pequeña o modesta.

お金、特に少額またはささやかな金額。

돈, 특히 적거나 소박한 금액.

'Scratch' is an older slang term for money that's still used today. It often implies a modest amount — enough to get by. 'Scratching out a living' means barely making enough money to survive.

'Scratch'是一个较老的金钱俚语，至今仍在使用。通常暗示金额不多——够勉强过日子的程度。'Scratching out a living'意思是勉强维持生计。

'Scratch' es un término de argot antiguo para el dinero que aún se usa hoy. A menudo implica una cantidad modesta, suficiente para ir tirando. 'Scratching out a living' significa ganar apenas lo suficiente para sobrevivir.

「scratch（スクラッチ）」はお金を意味する古いスラングで、今でも使われている。ささやかな金額——なんとかやっていけるくらい——を暗示することが多い。「scratching out a living（スクラッチで生計を立てる）」は、やっと生活できるくらいしか稼いでいないことを意味する。

'Scratch'는 오래된 돈 관련 슬랭으로 지금도 사용된다. 종종 소박한 금액 — 겨우 생활할 정도를 의미한다. 'Scratching out a living'은 겨우 생계를 유지할 만큼만 버는 것을 뜻한다.

Examples

I picked up some scratch doing odd jobs over the weekend.
周末干了些零活赚了点小钱。
Gané algo de pasta haciendo chapuzas el fin de semana.
週末に雑用をしてちょっと小遣いを稼いだ。
주말에 잡일을 해서 용돈을 좀 벌었어.
He doesn't have the scratch to fix his car right now.
他现在没钱修车。
Ahora mismo no tiene la pasta para arreglar el coche.
今は車を修理するお金がないんだ。
지금은 차를 수리할 돈이 없어.
She's been saving every bit of scratch she can.
她一直在尽可能地攒每一分钱。
Ha ido ahorrando cada céntimo que ha podido.
彼女はお金をできるだけコツコツ貯めてきた。
그녀는 돈을 한 푼이라도 아껴서 모아왔어.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: casual conversation, older slang, everyday speech

Tone: casual, modest

✓ Do Say

I need some scratch for gas.
我需要点钱加油。
Necesito algo de pasta para la gasolina.
ガソリン代がちょっと必要なんだ。
기름값 좀 필요해(need some scratch for gas).
That gig paid decent scratch.
那活儿给的钱还不错。
Ese curro pagó una pasta decente.
あの仕事はそこそこの稼ぎになったよ。
그 일 돈 괜찮았어(paid decent scratch).

✗ Don't Say

Somewhat old-fashioned — younger speakers might not use it but will understand it in context
有些老派——年轻人可能不太用，但结合语境能听懂。
Algo anticuado: los más jóvenes quizá no lo usen, pero lo entenderán en contexto.
やや古風——若い世代は自然には使わないが、文脈から理解はできる
다소 구식 표현 — 젊은 층은 잘 쓰지 않지만 맥락상 의미는 이해함

Origin & History

Dates back to the early 1900s, possibly from the idea of 'scratching' together enough money or from the older slang of a scratch being a counterfeit bill. Has remained in casual use for over a century.

Cultural Context

Era: Early 1900s onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal