現金

• Reading: げんきん
• Romaji: genkin
• Kanji breakdown: 現 (gen) — present, actual; 金 (kin) — gold, money
• Pronunciation: /ɡe.n.ki.n/

Meaning

Cash; ready money. Physical currency as opposed to digital or credit payments.

A noun referring to physical money in coins and bills. Japan remains a heavily cash-based society, so this word appears frequently in daily life. Common expressions include 現金払い (genkin barai, cash payment) and 現金書留 (genkin kakitome, registered cash mail). Also used colloquially to describe a calculating or mercenary personality.

Examples

1. このお店は現金しか使えません。 This store only accepts cash.
2. 財布に現金があまり入っていない。 I don't have much cash in my wallet.
3. 最近は現金を持ち歩かない人が増えた。 More and more people don't carry cash these days.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, finance, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 現 (present, actual) and 金 (gold, money). Literally 'present money,' distinguishing immediately available physical currency from credit or future payments.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal