借金

• Reading: しゃっきん
• Romaji: shakkin
• Kanji breakdown: 借 (borrow, lend) + 金 (money, gold) → borrowed money; debt
• Pronunciation: /ɕak.kiɴ/

Meaning

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.

Examples

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。 I can't even tell my friends I'm in debt — carrying it all alone is painful.
2. 借金返し終わったときの解放感は半端なかった。 The sense of relief when I finally paid off my debt was unreal.
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。 I still have debt from when I was young, and the interest has gotten out of control.

Usage Guide

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

Tone: serious, stigmatized

Do Say

• 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.)

Don't Say

• 「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)

Common Mistakes

• 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

Origin & History

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.

Cultural Context

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

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal, but stigma is particularly strong

Regional notes: 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.