What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down as follows: お金 (okane) means money, which is formed by the kanji for gold (金) combined with the honorific prefix お (o). The particle を (o) is an object marker that identifies money as the direct object being requested. Finally, ちょうだい (chōdai) is a casual way to say "give me" or "please give me".
Which one should you use?
The form ちょうだい is a request that can sound somewhat childish or overly familiar depending on your relationship with the listener. For a more standard and polite request, you should use お金をください. For a much more aggressive, rough and demanding tone often seen in fiction used by criminals, the phrase 金をよこせ is used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お金をちょうだい is an informal way to ask for money. If you want to be more polite and standard, use お金をください. If you are asking to borrow money rather than a direct demand, use the formal お金をお借りできますか.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle を (o) is used to mark お金 as the direct object of the verb in the request.
How do you pronounce it?
okane o chōdai
Did you know?
- The phrase ちょうだい is derived from 頂戴する (chōdai suru), a highly formal humble verb used when receiving something from a superior.
- Adding the prefix お to 金 (gold/money) is a way of showing politeness to the object itself, a common linguistic feature in Japanese called 'beautification'.
- The word 金 (gold/money) is also used as a surname in Japan, though it is much more common to see it as part of a word.
Examples in context
- お菓子を買いたいから、お金をちょうだい。Okashi o kaitai kara, okane o choudai.I want to buy some sweets, so give me money.
- お小遣いとして、お金をちょうだい。Okozukai toshite, okane o choudai.Give me money as my allowance.
- 今すぐ、お金をちょうだい！Ima sugu, okane o choudai!Give me money right now!
Example conversation
Hiyori is asking Ren for money to buy a snack.
- 陽葵 Himariねえ、蓮、お金をちょうだい。nee, ren, okane o choudai.Hey Ren, give me some money.
- 蓮 Renまた？何に使うの？mata? nani ni tsukau no?Again? What are you using it for?
- 陽葵 Himariあそこのお店でアイスが食べたいの。asoko no omise de aisuga tabetai no.I want to eat ice cream at that shop over there.
- 蓮 Renいいよ。はい、これね。ii yo. hai, kore ne.Alright. Here you go.
