抵当

• Reading: ていとう
• Romaji: teito
• Kanji breakdown: 抵 (tei) — to resist, offset; 当 (tou) — applicable, relevant
• Pronunciation: /te.i.to.ː/

Meaning

Mortgage; pledge; collateral; security. Property or assets offered as security against a loan obligation.

A noun used in legal and financial contexts for collateral pledged to secure a debt. 抵当権 (teitouken) is the formal legal term for a mortgage lien or hypothec. If the borrower defaults, the lender may foreclose on the pledged asset. Governed by the Civil Code (民法). Distinct from 質 (shichi), which involves physical transfer of the pledged item.

Examples

1. 自宅を抵当に入れて事業資金を調達した。 He raised business funds by mortgaging his home.
2. 抵当権の設定には登記が必要になる。 Registering a mortgage lien requires a formal registration.
3. 返済が滞り、担保物件に抵当権が実行される恐れが出た。 Repayments fell into arrears, and foreclosure on the collateral property became a real possibility.

Usage Guide

Context: real estate, lending, civil law

Tone: technical

Origin & History

From 抵 (tei) meaning 'to resist, to reach' and 当 (tou) meaning 'to apply, to be relevant.' The compound historically denoted something placed against a debt as offsetting security.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Property owners