財源

• Reading: ざいげん
• Romaji: zaigen
• Kanji breakdown: 財 (zai) — wealth, assets; 源 (gen) — source, origin
• Pronunciation: /za.i.geɴ/

Meaning

Source of funds; financial resources. The origin of money used to fund projects or policies.

A noun frequently used in discussions of government budgets and policy. Key collocations: 財源を確保する (secure funding), 財源不足 (shortage of funds), 安定した財源 (stable funding source). Tax revenue, bonds, and special levies are all examples of 財源. A staple of political and economic reporting.

Examples

1. 新しい福祉政策の財源をどう確保するかが問題だ。 The question is how to secure funding for the new welfare policy.
2. 財源不足のため、道路の修繕計画が延期された。 Due to a shortage of funds, the road repair plan was postponed.
3. 消費税の引き上げが財源確保の手段として検討されている。 Raising the consumption tax is being considered as a means of securing funding.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, economics, government

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 財 (zai, wealth/assets) + 源 (gen, source/origin). Literally 'the source of wealth' — where the money comes from.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal