キャッシュレス
Meaning: Cashless payment methods including credit cards, mobile payments, and e-money; going without physical cash.
Japan was famously cash-dependent well into the 2010s, but government campaigns and COVID-19 accelerated キャッシュレス adoption dramatically. The term represents a cultural shift still in progress — while major cities are largely cashless-compatible, some rural areas and small shops remain cash-only. The word is both a payment method and a lifestyle descriptor.
Examples
- もう財布持ち歩いてない。完全キャッシュレス生活にした。 已经不带钱包出门了。完全过上了无现金生活。Ya ni llevo cartera. Me he pasado completamente a la vida sin efectivo.이제 지갑을 안 가지고 다닌다. 완전 캐시리스 생활로 바꿨다.
- キャッシュレス化が進んでるのに、この店まだ現金のみって信じられない。 无现金化都推进到这个程度了,这家店居然还只收现金,不敢相信。No me puedo creer que esta tienda siga aceptando solo efectivo con lo que ha avanzado el pago digital.캐시리스화가 진행되고 있는데, 이 가게는 아직 현금만 된다니 믿기지 않는다.
- キャッシュレスにしてから、お金使ってる実感なくて逆に使いすぎる。 改用无现金之后,花钱没实感,反而容易花多了。Desde que paso todo por pago electrónico, no siento que esté gastando dinero y acabo gastando más.캐시리스로 바꾸고 나서 돈 쓰는 실감이 없어서 오히려 과소비하게 된다.
Pronunciation
/kjas.ɕu.ɾe.su/
Usage Guide
Context: daily conversation, news, social media
Tone: modern, practical
✓ Do Say
- キャッシュレス対応してますか? (Do you accept cashless payments?)请问可以无现金支付吗?(你们支持电子支付吗?)¿Aceptáis pago sin efectivo?캐시리스 결제 되나요? (현금 없이 결제할 수 있나요?)
- キャッシュレスだと支出管理が楽だよね。 (Managing expenses is easier with cashless payments.)用无现金支付的话管理支出挺方便的。(无现金支付让记账管理变得更轻松了。)Con el pago electrónico es mucho más fácil controlar los gastos, ¿verdad?캐시리스면 지출 관리가 편하지. (캐시리스 결제가 지출 관리에 편리하다.)
✗ Don't Say
- 高齢者に「現金はもう古い」は失礼 — many older Japanese people prefer and rely on cash; don't dismiss their preference对老年人说「现金已经过时了」是很失礼的——很多日本老年人习惯并依赖现金支付,不要否定他们的偏好Decirle a una persona mayor que «el efectivo está anticuado» es una falta de respeto — muchas personas mayores en Japón prefieren y dependen del efectivo; no hay que menospreciar su preferencia.고령자에게 '현금은 이제 구시대적'이라고 하면 실례다 — 많은 일본 고령자는 현금을 선호하고 의존하므로 그 선호를 무시하지 말아야 한다
Common Mistakes
- Assuming all Japanese stores accept cashless payment — many small shops, especially in rural areas, are still cash-only
Origin & History
From English 'cashless.' Gained prominence in Japan around 2018-2019 when the government launched the キャッシュレス推進 (cashless promotion) initiative, offering point rebates to encourage digital payments.
Cultural Context
Era: Government push from 2018, accelerated by COVID-19 pandemic
Generation: All ages, with higher adoption among younger generations
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used nationwide. Japan's cashless ratio reached approximately 40% by 2024, still lower than Korea or China but growing rapidly.
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