Meaning and Usage
The word 負債 (ふさい) refers to debts or liabilities, typically in financial contexts. It is often used in business, accounting, and personal finance to describe money owed.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 負債 used when discussing company finances, loans, or any situation where money is owed and must be repaid. It carries a formal tone and is common in written and spoken business Japanese.
Collocations and Patterns
- 負債を抱える (ふさいをかかえる): to carry debt; used when a person or company has outstanding liabilities.
- 負債を返済する (ふさいをへんさいする): to repay debt; common when talking about paying off loans.
- 負債が増える (ふさいがふえる): liabilities increase; used to describe worsening financial conditions.
Usage Notes
負債 is a noun and is often paired with verbs like 抱える (to carry), 返済する (to repay), or 増える (to increase). It is more formal than simply saying 借金 (しゃっきん), which also means debt but is more casual and often used for personal loans.
Avoid confusing 負債 with assets (資産), as they represent opposite financial concepts. Understanding this distinction is crucial for business and finance conversations.