銀行

• Reading: ぎんこう
• Romaji: ginkou
• Kanji breakdown: 銀 (gin) — silver; 行 (kou) — go, business, firm
• Pronunciation: /ɡiɴ.koː/

Meaning

Bank; banking institution. Where people deposit, withdraw, and manage money.

A noun meaning bank. Japan has a well-developed banking system with major banks like 三菱UFJ銀行 and ゆうちょ銀行 (Japan Post Bank). ATMs at convenience stores (コンビニ) are widely used. The word literally means 'silver business,' reflecting the historical importance of silver in banking.

Examples

1. 銀行でお金を下ろしました。 I withdrew money at the bank.
2. 駅の前に銀行があります。 There's a bank in front of the station.
3. 銀行は三時に閉まります。 The bank closes at three o'clock.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, errands, finance

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound of 銀 (silver) and 行 (business, firm). Coined in the Meiji era as a translation of 'bank,' modelled after the Chinese term.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal