How to say “money” in Japanese

お金
おかねokane
nounJLPT N5Home & things
The short answer

“Money” in Japanese is お金 (おかね), pronounced okane.

Pronunciation

The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:

How to use it

Money. Almost always said with the polite お. Japan still uses cash a lot, though card payments are spreading.

Example sentences

  • お金がありません。おかねがありません。
    I don’t have any money.
  • お金を払いました。おかねをはらいました。
    I paid.

Quick practice

Test yourself0/3
  1. What does {{お金}} mean?

  2. How do you read {{お金}}?

  3. Which word means “car”?

FAQ

How do you say money in Japanese?

Money in Japanese is お金 (おかね), pronounced “okane”.

How do you write money in Japanese?

It's written お金 with kanji, or おかね in hiragana. Both are read okane.

Is お金 on the JLPT?

Yes. お金 (okane) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.