お釣り

• Reading: おつり
• Romaji: otsuri
• Kanji breakdown: 釣 (tsuri) — fishing, change (money); お is an honorific prefix
• Pronunciation: /o.t͡sɯ.ɾi/

Meaning

Change; the money returned after a purchase when you pay more than the price.

A noun with the polite prefix お attached to 釣り (tsuri), which comes from the verb 釣る (to fish/to catch). The metaphor suggests 'catching back' the excess money. Almost always used with the お prefix in everyday speech. Essential vocabulary for cash transactions in Japan.

Examples

1. お釣りは三百円です。 Your change is 300 yen.
2. お釣りを忘れないでください。 Don't forget your change.
3. 千円で払ってお釣りをもらいました。 I paid with a 1,000-yen bill and got my change back.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, cash register, convenience stores

Tone: polite

Origin & History

From the verb 釣る (tsuru, to fish/catch). The idea is that the excess money is 'caught back' from the transaction. The polite prefix お is standard and rarely omitted.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal