小銭

• Reading: こぜに
• Romaji: kozeni
• Kanji breakdown: 小 (ko) — small, little; 銭 (zeni) — coin, money
• Pronunciation: /ko.ze.ni/

Meaning

Coins; small change; loose change. Small-denomination money, typically coins.

A noun referring to coins and small amounts of money. Used in everyday situations: 小銭を持っていない (I don't have change), 小銭入れ (coin purse). In the context of Japan's still heavily cash-based economy, small change is encountered frequently. Also used figuratively to mean a small, insignificant sum.

Examples

1. 小銭を用意しておくと便利だよ。 It's handy to have some small change ready.
2. 財布の中に小銭がたくさんたまっている。 I've got a ton of coins piling up in my wallet.
3. 小銭入れを忘れてきてしまった。 I forgot to bring my coin purse.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, daily life, vending machines

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 小 (small, little) and 銭 (coin, money). Historically, 銭 referred to copper coins, and 小銭 specified the smaller denominations used in daily transactions.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal