Meaning and Usage
"現金" (げんきん) means "cash" in Japanese, referring to physical money such as coins and bills. It is commonly used in everyday situations involving payment or money handling.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "現金" when discussing payment methods, such as paying by cash versus credit card. It also appears in contexts like withdrawing money from an ATM or talking about carrying money.
Collocations and Patterns
- 現金で (げんきんで): "by cash" — used to specify payment method.
- 現金を引き出す (げんきんをひきだす): "to withdraw cash" — common when talking about ATMs or banks.
- 現金を持ち歩く (げんきんをもちあるく): "to carry cash" — often used when discussing safety or convenience.
Register and Nuance
"現金" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is more specific than just "お金" (money) because it excludes non-physical forms like credit or electronic money.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "現金" with "お金". Remember, "現金" specifically means physical cash, so it is not used for credit cards or electronic payments. Use "現金" when emphasizing the physical form of money.