家計簿
Meaning: A household budget tracker or spending journal used to record and categorize daily income and expenses.
The 家計簿 is a uniquely Japanese approach to personal finance that dates back over 100 years. Unlike Western budgeting apps focused on automatic categorization, the traditional 家計簿 philosophy emphasizes mindful, manual recording of expenses — the act of writing forces awareness. Modern versions include apps like マネーフォワード and Zaim, but many Japanese still prefer paper 家計簿. The practice was invented by journalist 羽仁もと子 in 1904 and has been internationally recognized as the 'kakeibo method.'
Examples
- 家計簿つけ始めたら、コンビニでの無駄遣いが可視化されてショックだった。 开始记家计簿后,在便利店的浪费一目了然,自己都被吓到了。Cuando empecé a llevar un kakeibo, me llevé un susto al ver lo que gastaba en la tienda de conveniencia.가계부를 쓰기 시작했더니, 편의점에서의 낭비가 눈에 보여서 충격이었어.
- 家計簿アプリとクレジットカード連携したら自動で記録してくれるから楽。 家计簿APP和信用卡绑定后自动记录,超方便。Si vinculas la app del kakeibo con la tarjeta de crédito, se registra automáticamente y es muy cómodo.가계부 앱을 신용카드랑 연동하면 자동으로 기록해 줘서 편해.
- 家計簿は3日坊主になりがちだけど、今年こそ続けたい。 记家计簿总是三天打鱼两天晒网,今年一定要坚持下去。El kakeibo suele abandonarse a los tres días, pero este año quiero mantenerlo.가계부는 작심삼일이 되기 쉬운데, 올해야말로 계속하고 싶어.
Pronunciation
/ka.ke.i.bo/
Usage Guide
Context: daily conversation, financial planning, social media
Tone: practical, disciplined
✓ Do Say
- 家計簿つけてる?何使ってる? (Do you keep a household budget? What do you use?)你记家计簿吗?用什么记的?¿Llevas un kakeibo? ¿Qué usas?가계부 쓰고 있어? 뭘로 하고 있어?
- 家計簿見返したら先月飲み会代がすごかった。 (Looking back at my budget tracker, last month's drinking expenses were crazy.)翻了翻家计簿,上个月喝酒聚餐的花费太夸张了。Al repasar mi kakeibo vi que el mes pasado los gastos en cenas y copas fueron una pasada.가계부를 되돌아보니 지난달 술자리 비용이 어마어마했어.
✗ Don't Say
- 「家計簿なんて主婦がつけるものでしょ」は時代遅れ (Saying 'budgets are a housewife thing' is outdated — single people, couples, and all genders track household finances)说'家计簿不是家庭主妇记的嘛'已经过时了——单身人士、情侣、不论性别都在记账Decir «los presupuestos domésticos son cosa de amas de casa» está desfasado: personas solteras, parejas y de cualquier género llevan el control de sus finanzas.'가계부는 주부나 쓰는 거 아니야?'는 시대에 뒤떨어진 말 — 싱글, 커플 할 것 없이 남녀 모두 가계 관리를 한다
Common Mistakes
- Thinking 家計簿 is just for married women — modern 家計簿 culture includes solo users, apps, and the internationally popular 'kakeibo method' for mindful spending
Origin & History
From 家計 (household finances) + 簿 (register/ledger). Invented in 1904 by Japanese journalist 羽仁もと子 (Hani Motoko) as a tool for housewives to manage household finances. The concept has since been recognized internationally.
Cultural Context
Era: Invented 1904, app-based renewal from 2010s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. The kakeibo method has gained international recognition through books and articles. Popular digital versions include マネーフォワード ME and Zaim.
More From This Topic
More from Money & Shopping
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free