担保

• Reading: たんぽ
• Romaji: tanpo
• Kanji breakdown: 担 (tan) — bear, carry, shoulder; 保 (ho) — protect, maintain, guarantee
• Pronunciation: /taɴ.po/

Meaning

Collateral; security; guarantee. Assets pledged to secure a loan or obligation.

A noun used in finance and legal contexts. 担保 refers to assets (such as property or securities) offered as security for a loan. If the borrower defaults, the lender can seize the 担保. Common collocations include 担保付き (with collateral), 無担保 (unsecured/without collateral), and 担保に入れる (to put up as collateral). Also used figuratively to mean 'guarantee' or 'assurance.'

Examples

1. 自宅を担保にして銀行からお金を借りた。 I borrowed money from the bank using my home as collateral.
2. 無担保ローンは金利が高い傾向がある。 Unsecured loans tend to have higher interest rates.
3. 品質を担保するための検査を実施している。 We carry out inspections to guarantee quality.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, banking, legal

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 担 (tan, bear/carry) + 保 (ho, protect/maintain). Literally 'bearing and protecting' — something that bears the weight of a guarantee.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional