帳尻

• Reading: ちょうじり
• Romaji: chojiri
• Kanji breakdown: 帳 (cho) — account book, ledger; 尻 (shiri) — bottom, tail end
• Pronunciation: /tɕoː.dʑi.ɾi/

Meaning

Balance; settlement of accounts. The final balance of an account, and by extension any situation where loose ends are tied up or figures are made to add up.

A noun almost always appearing in the set phrase 帳尻を合わせる (to balance accounts; to make things add up; to paper over inconsistencies). In informal contexts it can imply creative or last-minute reconciliation of numbers or facts, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation of fudging.

Examples

1. 帳尻を合わせるために残業が増えた。 Overtime increased in order to balance the books.
2. 月末には収支の帳尻を確認する必要がある。 At the end of the month it is necessary to check the financial balance.
3. 彼はいつも最後に帳尻を合わせてくる。 He always manages to make the numbers add up at the last moment.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, business, informal conversation

Tone: pragmatic

Origin & History

From 帳 (account book) and 尻 (bottom, tail end). The 尻 refers to the bottom line of a ledger where the final balance is written.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional