借金

• 読み: しゃっきん
• ローマ字: shakkin
• 漢字の分解: 借 (borrow, lend) + 金 (money, gold) → borrowed money; debt
• 発音: /ɕak.kiɴ/

意味

Debt; money that is borrowed and owed — carries a heavy social stigma in Japan.

借金 is one of the most stigmatized words in Japanese society. While mortgages and student loans exist, personal 借金 (especially from 消費者金融, consumer finance companies) carries intense shame. The culture of avoiding debt is deeply ingrained — being in 借金 is seen as a personal failure. This stigma can prevent people from seeking help. On social media, 借金返済 (debt repayment) journeys are both confessional content and cautionary tales. Topics like 多重債務 (multiple debts) and 自己破産 (personal bankruptcy) are serious social issues.

例文

1. 借金あるって友達にも言えないし、一人で抱え込んでてつらい。
2. 借金返し終わったときの解放感は半端なかった。
3. 若いころの借金がまだ残ってて、利息がやばいことになってる。

使い方ガイド

場面: daily conversation, financial planning, social media, news

トーン: serious, stigmatized

正しい言い方

• 借金は早めに返した方がいい、利息がどんどん増えるから。 (You should pay off debt early — interest keeps growing.)
• 借金があるなら一人で悩まないで相談した方がいいよ。 (If you have debt, don't struggle alone — talk to someone.)

避ける言い方

• 「借金あるの？」と直接聞くのは非常に失礼 (Directly asking someone 'Do you have debt?' is extremely rude in Japan due to the strong stigma)

よくある間違い

• Treating 借金 as casually as English 'debt' — in Japanese, 借金 carries significantly more shame and stigma than the English equivalent. Using it lightly can be insensitive

起源と歴史

From 借 (borrow) + 金 (money/gold). A standard Japanese word with deep cultural weight. Japan's historical emphasis on financial independence and the shame culture around debt make this word particularly loaded.

文化的背景

時代: Ancient concept, modern consumer debt issues from 1990s bubble collapse

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal, but stigma is particularly strong

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. Japan has free debt consultation services (多重債務相談) and legal aid for 自己破産 (personal bankruptcy). The stigma around 借金 can delay people seeking help.