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What is the Kanji for "Gold"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Gold", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Gold" is "金".

This kanji has 4 readings:

Its kunyomi readings are "Kane" and "Kana".

Its onyomi readings are "Kin" and "Kon".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The kanji "全" means "Whole" and "All" and can be read as "Zen", "Matta", and "Sube". And The radical "丷" means "Divide" .

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "金" mean in japanese?

"金" means "Gold" .

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in First Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N5 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

金曜日: "Friday". 金曜日 (きんようび)' is the Japanese word for 'Friday', the sixth day of the week. In Japanese culture, Friday is often associated with the end of the work week and the start of the weekend. It is commonly used in daily conversation to refer to the upcoming or current Friday. For example: Today is Friday - (今日は金曜日です). I'm going out with friends on Friday - (金曜日に友達と出かけます).
: "Money". The Japanese noun '金 (かね)' refers to money in general. It can be used to describe currency, cash, or funds. This word is commonly used in expressions related to financial matters, such as earning, spending, or saving money. For example: I don't have any money - (金がない). How much money do you have? - (どのくらいの金がありますか?)
年金: "Pension". The Japanese noun '年金 (ねんきん)' refers to a monthly payment made to elderly or disabled people by the government or an employer as a form of retirement income. It is a system designed to provide financial security for individuals after they stop working. For example: I will receive my pension next month - (来月年金をもらいます). She is saving money for her retirement pension - (彼女は退職年金のために金を貯めています).
金融: "Finance". The Japanese noun '金融 (きんゆう)' refers to finance, the system of managing money and investments. This term encompasses activities such as banking, lending, investing, and the flow of capital. It is used to describe the overall financial sector and its various institutions and processes. For example: The finance industry has seen a lot of changes recently - (金融業界は最近大変な変化がありました). My job is in the finance department - (私の仕事は金融部門です).
資金: "Funds". The Japanese noun '資金 (しきん)' refers to financial resources or money available for a particular purpose. It can be used to describe money set aside for investment, starting a business, or other economic activities. For example: We need more funds to expand the company - (会社を拡大するには、もっと資金が必要だ). The organization has sufficient funds to carry out their project - (その団体は、そのプロジェクトを遂行するのに十分な資金を持っている).
金額: "Amount". The Japanese noun '金額 (きんがく)' means 'amount'. This word is used to refer to the total cost, price, or value of something. It can be used in various contexts, such as when discussing a purchase, a bill, or a financial transaction. For example: The total amount is 5,000 yen - (金額は5,000円です). The amount is too high - (金額が高すぎます).
貯金: "Savings". The verbal noun '貯金 (ちょきん)' means 'savings'. This term refers to the act of putting money aside for future use, such as for emergencies, retirement, or large purchases. It is a common financial practice in Japan. For example: I have been saving money - (私は貯金をしています). We need to save more money - (もっと貯金する必要があります).
料金: "Fee". The noun '料金 (りょうきん)' means 'fee'. This word refers to the amount of money charged for a service or good. It can be used to describe things like entrance fees, admission prices, transportation fares, or other costs associated with products and services. For example: The ticket fee is 500 yen - (チケットの料金は500円です). I need to pay the admission fee - (入場料金を払わなければなりません).
金もうけ: "Money-making". The verbal noun '金もうけ (かねもうけ)' means 'money-making'. This term refers to the act of earning or obtaining money, often in an opportunistic or profit-driven manner. It can carry a connotation of being primarily focused on financial gain rather than other intrinsic motivations. For example: His sole concern is money-making - (彼の唯一の関心は金もうけだ). She is good at money-making - (彼女は金もうけが上手だ).
借金: "Debt". The word '借金 (しゃっきん)' is a verbal noun that means 'debt'. It refers to an amount of money that one person or organization owes to another. Taking on debt is common, for example to finance large purchases like a house or car. However, it's important to borrow responsibly and not accumulate too much debt. For instance: I have a lot of debt - (私は借金が多い). He took out a loan to buy a new car - (彼は新しい車を買うために借金をした).
金利: "Interest rate". The Japanese noun '金利 (きんり)' means 'interest rate'. This term refers to the amount of interest charged or paid for the use of money, usually expressed as a percentage. It is commonly used in financial contexts, such as when discussing loans, savings accounts, or investments. For example: The bank raised the interest rate - (銀行は金利を上げた). The loan has a 5% interest rate - (その借入金の金利は5%だ).
現金: "Cash" or "Money". The Japanese adjectival noun '現金 (げんきん)' refers to 'cash' or 'money' in a physical form, usually coins or bills. It is often used in contrast to other forms of payment like credit cards or electronic transfers. This term emphasizes the tangibility and immediate availability of the funds. For example: I paid with cash - (私は現金で支払いました). The store only accepts cash - (そのお店は現金のみ受け付けています).
金色: "Gold". The Japanese noun '金色 (きんいろ)' means 'gold'. This term refers to the color of the metallic element gold, which is a bright, shiny, and valuable material. It is often used to describe the appearance of objects that are colored in a bright yellow-orange hue similar to gold. For example: The medal was gold in color - (メダルは金色だった). Her hair shines with a golden glow - (彼女の髪は金色に輝いていた).
税金: "Tax". The Japanese noun '税金 (ぜいきん)' refers to the money that citizens and residents are legally required to pay to the government. Taxes are used to fund public services and government programs. They are an important source of revenue for the government. For example: We have to pay our taxes every year - (私たちは毎年税金を払わなければなりません).
金属: "Metal". The Japanese noun '金属 (きんぞく)' refers to a solid material that is typically hard, shiny, and capable of conducting electricity and heat. Metals such as iron, gold, silver, and copper are examples of '金属 (きんぞく)'. This noun is commonly used to describe various metallic objects, tools, and materials. For example: The metal is strong - (金属は強い). The statue is made of metal - (その像は金属でできている).
賃金: "Wage". The noun '賃金 (ちんぎん)' refers to the regular monetary compensation paid by an employer to an employee for their work. It is the amount of money that an employee earns for the labor and services they provide. Wages are typically paid on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. For example: My wage is 2,000 yen per hour - (私の時給は時間あたり2,000円です). He earns a high wage - (彼は高い賃金を稼いでいる).
金庫: "Safe". The Japanese noun '金庫 (きんこ)' refers to a safe, which is a secure storage container, usually made of sturdy metal, used to store valuable items such as money, jewelry, or important documents. A '金庫' is designed to protect its contents from theft, fire, or other damage. It is commonly found in businesses, banks, or homes where valuable possessions need to be kept safe. For example: I keep my passport in the safe - (私は金庫の中にパスポートを入れています).
金銭: "Money". The noun '金銭 (きんせん)' refers to money, currency or financial assets. It can be used to describe monetary funds, wealth or payments. This word is often used in formal or business contexts. For example: He pays the bill with money - (彼は金銭で請求書を支払う). Saving money is important - (金銭を貯めることは重要だ).
入金: "Deposit". The Japanese noun '入金 (にゅうきん)' means 'deposit'. This word refers to the act of adding money to an account, such as a bank account or other financial account. It can be used in contexts related to personal or business finances. For example: I made a deposit into my account today - (私は今日口座に入金しました). The company received a large deposit from a client - (その企業は顧客から大きな入金を受け取りました).
敷金: "Deposit". The Japanese noun '敷金 (しききん)' refers to an advance payment made by a tenant when renting an apartment or house. This deposit is typically refundable when the tenant moves out, as long as there is no damage to the property. It serves as a security deposit to cover any potential expenses the landlord may incur upon the tenant's departure. For example: I had to pay a large deposit when I rented my new apartment - (私は新しいアパートを借りるとき、大きな敷金を払わなければなりませんでした).
金持ち: "Wealthy". The Japanese noun '金持ち (かねもち)' refers to a person who is wealthy, affluent or has a large amount of money. It can be used to describe someone who is rich or financially well-off. For example: The wealthy businessman - (金持ちの実業家). She is a wealthy woman - (彼女は金持ちの女性です).
奨学金: "Scholarship". The Japanese noun '奨学金 (しょうがくきん)' refers to a scholarship, which is financial assistance provided to students to help cover the costs of their education. Scholarships are typically awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria. They can be provided by educational institutions, government bodies, private organizations, or individuals. For example: I received a scholarship to attend university - (私は大学に行くための奨学金をもらいました). She applied for a scholarship to help pay for her studies - (彼女は勉強費用を援助してもらうために奨学金に応募しました).
大金: "Fortune". The noun '大金 (たいきん)' refers to a large amount of money or wealth. It conveys the idea of a substantial, abundant sum of money. This term is often used to describe a person's financial resources or a sizable monetary gain. For example: He won a fortune in the lottery - (彼は宝くじで大金を当てた). She inherited a large fortune - (彼女は大金を相続した).
代金: "Price". The Japanese noun '代金 (だいきん)' refers to the price or payment that is required for a product or service. It is used to indicate the total amount that must be paid. For example: The price of the new phone is 500 yen - (新しい携帯電話の代金は500円です). I need to pay the price for the meal - (食事の代金を払わなければなりません).
送金: "Remittance" or "Wire transfer". The verbal noun '送金 (そうきん)' means 'remittance' or 'wire transfer'. It refers to the act of sending money, usually electronically, from one account or location to another. '送金' is commonly used when discussing financial transactions, banking, and money transfers. For example: I made a wire transfer to my friend's account - (友人の口座に送金した). The company processes all remittances within one business day - (その会社は全ての送金を1営業日以内に処理する).
黄金: "Gold". The noun '黄金 (おうごん)' refers to the precious metal gold. It is used to describe the bright yellow color and high value of the element. Gold is prized for its rarity, beauty, and use in jewelry, electronics, and various industries. For example: The necklace is made of pure gold - (そのネックレスは純金でできている). The room was decorated with golden accents - (その部屋は黄金の飾り付けがされていた).
預金: "Deposit". The Japanese verbal noun '預金 (よきん)' means 'deposit'. This term refers to the act of placing money in a bank account for safekeeping or future use. It is a common financial concept in Japan and is used to describe the action of putting money into a savings or checking account. For example: I made a deposit in the bank today - (今日銀行に預金をした). She has a large deposit in her account - (彼女のアカウントに大きな預金がある).
罰金: "Fine". The Japanese noun '罰金 (ばっきん)' refers to a fine or monetary penalty imposed as a punishment for breaking a law or rule. This is a common consequence for various offenses, from traffic violations to more serious crimes. For example: He had to pay a fine for speeding - (スピード違反のため罰金を払わされた). The company was fined for environmental violations - (その会社は環境違反のために罰金を科された).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "き" is read as "ki". The hiragana "ん" is read as "n". The hiragana "か" is read as "ka". The hiragana "ね" is read as "ne". The hiragana "な" is read as "na". And The hiragana "こ" is read as "ko".