Translation guide
The metal gold, the color gold, and figurative uses like 'golden' or 'gold medal'. Japanese distinguishes the metal (金), the color (金色), and uses 金 in compounds for money and excellence.
Referring to the chemical element or precious metal.
The standard word for the metal gold. Used in scientific, economic, and everyday contexts.
This ring is pure gold.
金の価格が上がった。
The price of gold went up.
Literary or poetic term for gold, often used in set phrases like 'golden age' or 'golden rule'. Less common for the raw metal.
黄金の国ジパング
the golden land of Zipangu
Describing the shiny yellow color.
The most common word for the color gold. Literally 'gold color'.
金色のドレスを着ていた。
She was wearing a gold dress.
Can also mean the color gold, especially in compounds or when context is clear.
金メダル
gold medal
Loanword from English, used in fashion, branding, or product names.
Referring to winning a competition.
Standard term for a gold medal in sports or contests.
彼はオリンピックで金メダルを取った。
He won a gold medal at the Olympics.
Short for 金メダル in casual conversation, especially in sports contexts.
金を取るぞ！
We're gonna win gold!
Figurative use for money, riches, or financial value.
The general word for money. Note the reading is かね, not きん. Often written in kana as お金 (おかね) for politeness.
金がすべてじゃない。
Money isn't everything.
お金を貸してください。
Please lend me some money.
Used metaphorically for wealth, as in 'gold rush'.
Figurative use meaning 'excellent', 'perfect', or 'valuable'.
Used in set phrases like 'golden age', 'golden rule', 'golden ratio'.
Loanword used in modern compounds like 'golden time' (prime time TV) or 'golden week' (holiday period).
Literally 'of gold', used in some idiomatic expressions like 'golden rule' (金の掟) but less common than 黄金.
金の掟
golden rule
金 read as きん means the metal gold or gold color. 金 read as かね means money. Using the wrong reading can cause confusion.
金が欲しい。
I want money. (かね) / I want gold. (きん)
金色 (きんいろ) is the native Japanese word for the color gold and is used in everyday description. ゴールド is a loanword often used in fashion, product names, or trendy contexts. 金色 is safer for general use.
ゴールドのアクセサリー
gold accessories
黄金狂時代
the gold rush era
ゴールデンウィーク
Golden Week
ゴールデンタイム
prime time (TV)