銅貨

• Reading: どうか
• Romaji: douka
• Kanji breakdown: 銅 (dou) — copper; 貨 (ka) — currency, coin
• Pronunciation: /doː.ka/

Meaning

Copper coin; a coin made of copper or bronze.

A noun for coins made of copper. In modern Japan, the 10-yen coin is the most familiar copper-coloured coin. Historically, copper coins (銅銭 / dousen) were a major form of currency. Related terms: 金貨 (kinka, gold coin), 銀貨 (ginka, silver coin). Used in both historical and numismatic contexts.

Examples

1. 博物館で江戸時代の銅貨を見た。 I saw copper coins from the Edo period at the museum.
2. 十円玉は日本で一番有名な銅貨だ。 The ten-yen coin is Japan's most well-known copper coin.
3. 古い銅貨を集めるのが祖父の趣味だった。 Collecting old copper coins was my grandfather's hobby.

Usage Guide

Context: history, numismatics, museums

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 銅 (dou, copper) and 貨 (ka, currency/coin). 銅 combines 金 (metal) and 同 (same), while 貨 combines 化 (change) and 貝 (shell, the original currency).

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal