手形

• Reading: てがた
• Romaji: tegata
• Kanji breakdown: 手 (te) — hand; 形 (gata) — form, shape
• Pronunciation: /te.ɡa.ta/

Meaning

Bill of exchange; promissory note; draft. A negotiable instrument ordering or promising payment of a specified sum.

A noun referring to negotiable instruments used in commercial transactions. 約束手形 (yakusoku tegata) is a promissory note — an unconditional promise to pay; 為替手形 (kawase tegata) is a bill of exchange ordering a third party to pay. Once the backbone of Japanese trade credit; increasingly replaced by electronic settlement. Dishonour (不渡り, fuwatari) of a 手形 can trigger bank suspension.

Examples

1. 仕入れ代金の支払いに約束手形を振り出した。 He issued a promissory note to pay for the purchased goods.
2. 手形の期日までに資金を用意しなければならない。 Funds must be arranged before the bill's due date.
3. 取引先から受け取った手形を銀行で割り引いてもらった。 He had the bill received from the business partner discounted at the bank.

Usage Guide

Context: commercial law, trade finance, banking

Tone: technical

Origin & History

From 手 (te) meaning 'hand' and 形 (gata) meaning 'form, shape.' Originally referred to a document bearing a handprint as authentication; later evolved to mean a formal written instrument of payment.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo–Modern

Generation: Business professionals

Social background: Merchants, corporate