手付金

• Reading: てつけきん
• Romaji: tetsukekin
• Kanji breakdown: 手 (te) — hand; 付 (tsu) — to attach; 金 (kin) — money
• Pronunciation: /te.tsɯ.ke.ki.ɴ/

Meaning

Earnest money; deposit; down payment. A sum paid in advance to secure a transaction and demonstrate commitment.

A noun referring to a deposit paid upfront in real estate or commercial transactions. Under Japanese law, if the buyer cancels the contract, the 手付金 is forfeited; if the seller cancels, they must return double the amount (手付倍返し). This mechanism protects both parties. Regulated under the Real Estate Brokerage Act (宅建業法). Distinct from a simple advance payment (前払金).

Examples

1. マンション購入の際、売買代金の一割を手付金として支払った。 When purchasing the apartment, ten percent of the sale price was paid as a deposit.
2. 売主の都合で契約が解除され、手付金の倍額が返還された。 The contract was cancelled at the seller's convenience, and double the deposit amount was returned.
3. 手付金を入れることで、物件を仮押さえすることができる。 By paying a deposit, you can provisionally secure the property.

Usage Guide

Context: real estate, contracts, property transactions

Tone: technical

Origin & History

From 手付け (teitsuke, earnest money or handshake deposit) and 金 (kin, money). 手付け itself comes from 手 (hand) + 付ける (to attach) — the act of 'putting one's hand' on a deal.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Property buyers