Gold
金
Gold
Kun-yomi 🇯🇵:
かね (kane)
(Japanese reading)On-yomi 🇨🇳:
キン (kin)
(Chinese-derived reading)
Pronunciation rules
- かね (kane) is the kun-yomi when used alone or as a common noun.
- キン (kin) is the on-yomi in compounds like 金曜日 (きんようび, kinyōbi: Friday) or 金庫 (きんこ, kinko: safe).
- As part of proper names and set phrases, readings may vary; learn common expressions like お金 (おかね, okane: money).
Examples
Kun-yomiNative Japanese Readings
金 が あります。
I have money.
Uses kun-yomi かね (kane) when the kanji stands alone
金 が たかい です。
Gold is expensive.
Uses kun-yomi かね (kane) when the kanji stands alone
On-yomiSino-Japanese Readings
金曜日
Friday
Uses on-yomi キン (kin) in compound
金庫
safe/vault
Uses on-yomi キン (kin) in compound
金魚 が きれい です。
The goldfish is beautiful.
Uses on-yomi キン (kin) in compound
ExceptionIrregular Readings
お金 が ありません。
I don't have money.
Exception: お金 reads as おかね, not おきん
Quick facts
- Radical: 金 (itself)
- Strokes: 8
- Common compounds: 金曜日 (きんようび, kinyōbi), 金庫 (きんこ, kinko: safe)
- Exceptions:
- お金 reads as おかね (not おきん).
- 金魚 reads as きんぎょ (uses on-yomi キン in compound).
- Day names: 金曜日 きんようび, 土曜日 どようび.
Key Words
お金 - money
金 - gold
金曜日 - friday