お金持ち

• Reading: おかねもち
• Romaji: okanemochi
• Kanji breakdown: 金 (kin/kane) — money, gold; 持 (ji/mo) — hold, possess
• Pronunciation: /o.ka.ne.mo.tɕi/

Meaning

A rich person; a wealthy individual. Someone who has a lot of money.

Composed of お金 (okane, money) and 持ち (mochi, holding/possessing). The お prefix adds politeness. It is a common everyday word used more casually than the formal equivalent 富裕層 (fuyūsō). Often used in conversation to describe someone who appears wealthy.

Examples

1. あの人はお金持ちらしいです。 That person is apparently rich.
2. お金持ちになりたいと思ったことがある。 I've thought about wanting to be rich before.
3. お金持ちでも幸せとは限らない。 Even rich people aren't necessarily happy.

Usage Guide

Context: daily conversation, social status, aspirations

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of お金 (okane, money, with honorific お) and 持ち (mochi, from 持つ, to hold/possess). Literally 'one who holds money.'

Cultural Context

Era: Pre-modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal