仕送り

• Reading: しおくり
• Romaji: shiokuri
• Kanji breakdown: 仕 (serve/do) + 送り (send) → sending support / parental financial aid
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.o.kɯ.ɾi/

Meaning

Money sent from parents to support a student living away from home — a financial lifeline for many university students.

仕送り is the regular money transfer from parents to their children studying at universities away from home. It typically covers rent, food, and living expenses. The average 仕送り has been declining over the decades, putting increasing financial pressure on students. Running out of 仕送り before the end of the month is a classic student struggle, leading to creative survival tactics like ¥100 cup noodle dinners.

Examples

1. 親からの仕送りだけじゃ足りなくてバイト増やした。 The money from my parents wasn't enough, so I picked up more shifts at work.
2. 仕送りが来る前にお金使い果たして月末ピンチ。 I blew through my allowance before it was time for the next one — end of the month is rough.
3. 仕送りなしで大学通ってる友達マジで尊敬する。 I seriously respect my friend who's going to college without any money from home.

Usage Guide

Context: university, family, finances

Tone: grateful, sometimes anxious

Do Say

• 仕送り減ったからバイト探さないと。 (My allowance from home got reduced so I need to find a part-time job.)
• 毎月仕送りしてくれる親に感謝だわ。 (I'm so grateful to my parents for sending money every month.)

Don't Say

• 裕福な友人の前で「仕送り少ない」と愚痴る (Complaining about your allowance in front of friends who receive none can be insensitive)

Common Mistakes

• Using 仕送り for money sent to elderly parents — while grammatically possible, it usually refers to parent-to-student support; money to parents is typically 仕送り in reverse or 援助

Origin & History

From 仕 (serve/do) + 送り (sending). The concept dates back to when families sent not just money but also rice and supplies to students in distant cities. Modern usage is almost exclusively about monetary support.

Cultural Context

Era: Longstanding tradition, declining in average amount since the 1990s

Generation: All ages (universally understood)

Social background: Common among students living away from home, especially those from non-urban areas

Regional notes: Used across Japan. Average 仕送り amounts have been reported declining, increasing reliance on part-time work.