Japanese word of the day: 現金 (Genkin)

What does 現金 (Genkin) mean?

現金 (Genkin) (noun, na-adjective) – Cash; ready money; physical currency in the form of coins and bills. In daily life, 現金 is the money you have on hand to pay for goods and services, as opposed to using a credit card or electronic payment.

Kanji details for 現 and 金

Character: 現 — present, existing, actual
Radical: jade (king) 玉 (王)

Character: 金 — gold
Radical: metal, gold 金 (釒)

Example sentences with 現金 (Genkin)

• 現金で払う必要はありません。
  (Genkin de harau hitsuyō wa arimasen.)
  💳 You don't have to pay in cash. 

• 現金を持ってきたかい？
  (Genkin o motte kita kai?)
  💵 Did you bring the cash?

   

• 彼はスーツを現金で買った。
  (Kare wa sūtsu o genkin de katta.)
  👔 He bought a suit for cash.

現金 (Genkin) in context

現金 is an essential word for shopping, travel, and daily transactions in Japan. While cashless options are growing, many places-like small shops, markets, and some restaurants-still prefer or require 現金. You’ll often hear “現金のみ” (genkin nomi, “cash only”) at registers. If you want to say “pay in cash,” use 現金で払う (genkin de harau). For “cash payment,” you might see 現金払い (genkin barai).

While 現金 can also describe a person as “calculating” or “mercenary,” this usage is rare in daily conversation and usually clear from context. Most of the time, 現金 just means cash-the kind you keep in your wallet for everyday expenses.