Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common word for 'banknote' is お札 (おさつ), but the formal term is 紙幣 (しへい). The specific word used can depend on context, such as everyday conversation versus official documents.
The learner wants to refer to paper money in daily life, such as when paying at a store or talking about cash.
The most common and natural word for 'banknote' in everyday conversation. The honorific prefix お makes it polite and standard.
一万円札でお願いします。
I'd like a 10,000 yen bill, please.
お札をくずしてもらえますか？
Can you break this bill for me?
A more casual, shorter form of お札. Often used in compounds like 千円札 (せんえんさつ, 1000-yen bill).
千円札しか持ってない。
I only have 1000-yen bills.
The formal term for 'banknote' or 'paper money'. Used in official contexts, news, or when contrasting with coins (硬貨, こうか).
新しい紙幣が発行された。
New banknotes have been issued.
The learner wants to refer to a banknote of a particular value, like a 1000-yen bill.
Attach 円札 (えんさつ) to the amount to specify a bill of that denomination. Common for 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 yen.
五千円札を出した。
I handed over a 5000-yen bill.
二千円札はあまり見かけない。
You don't see 2000-yen bills very often.
A more formal version using 紙幣 (しへい). Often used in official descriptions.
新一万円紙幣のデザインが発表された。
The design of the new 10,000-yen banknote was announced.
The learner wants to talk about banknotes from other countries, like dollars or euros.
Used for foreign banknotes as well, often with the country name or currency. お札 can also be used but is slightly more casual.
ドル紙幣をユーロに両替したい。
I want to exchange dollar bills for euros.
Acceptable in casual conversation about foreign money, but 紙幣 is safer in formal settings.
お札 is the standard word in daily life. 紙幣 is more formal and often used in writing, news, or official contexts. When in doubt, お札 is safe for conversation.
財布にお札が一枚もない。
I don't have a single bill in my wallet.
日本銀行は紙幣を発行する。
The Bank of Japan issues banknotes.
When counting bills, use the counter 枚 (まい). For example, 一枚 (いちまい, one bill), 二枚 (にまい, two bills).
千円札を三枚ください。
Please give me three 1000-yen bills.
American bills are all the same size, aren't they?