Translation guide
In Japanese, 'prize money' is most commonly expressed as 賞金 (しょうきん). Depending on context, other terms like 懸賞金 (けんしょうきん) for bounties or 賞金 (しょうきん) for competition winnings are used. This guide covers the main ways to talk about prize money in natural Japanese.
Money awarded as a prize in a competition, contest, game, or lottery.
The most common and general term for prize money. Used for winnings from contests, sports, games, and lotteries.
彼はコンテストで賞金をもらった。
He received prize money at the contest.
賞金総額は100万円です。
The total prize money is one million yen.
Specifically refers to prize money offered in a contest or as a reward, often for solving a problem or capturing a criminal (bounty). Can also be used for sweepstakes.
犯人逮捕に懸賞金がかけられた。
A reward was offered for the arrest of the criminal.
Money offered for capturing a criminal, finding a lost item, or achieving a specific task.
The standard term for a bounty or reward money. Often used in contexts like wanted posters or missing persons.
その犬を見つけた人に懸賞金が出ます。
A reward will be given to anyone who finds that dog.
A more formal term for a monetary reward or bounty, often used in official or legal contexts.
Money awarded to winners or top performers in sporting events.
Used for prize money in professional sports tournaments. Often combined with the sport name.
ゴルフの賞金ランキングで1位になった。
He topped the golf prize money rankings.
優勝賞金は1000万円です。
The winner's prize money is 10 million yen.
Occasionally used in sports contexts where a specific challenge or bounty is set, but 賞金 is more common.
Money awarded to sumo wrestlers for winning a match or tournament, often presented in envelopes.
In sumo, 懸賞金 refers to the prize money sponsored by companies and placed on the dohyo before a match. It is a specific term in this context.
この取り組みにはたくさんの懸賞金がかかっている。
There is a lot of prize money on this bout.
賞金 (しょうきん) is the general term for prize money from contests, lotteries, and sports. 懸賞金 (けんしょうきん) often implies a reward for a specific achievement, like capturing a criminal or finding a lost item. In sumo, 懸賞金 is the standard term for bout prize money.
A reward will be paid to informants.
Prize money is set for this marathon.