お金がありません
okane ga arimasen
In Japanese, "I have no money" is said as お金がありません (okane ga arimasen).
This phrase is used to state that one does not possess any money.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "money (subject marker) does not exist".
Which one should you use?
The default form お金がありません is polite and suitable for most social situations, whereas お金がない is a casual alternative.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you had no money in the past, you can use the past tense お金がありませんでした. Additionally, the polite お金がありません can be changed to the informal お金がない.
How do you pronounce it?
okane ga arimasen
Did you know?
- The verb used in the phrase, あります (to exist/to be), is specifically for inanimate objects. You cannot use it to say 'I have no sister' or 'I have no dog', as living things require a different verb.
- While お金がありません is a direct statement, Japanese speakers often use ちょっと… 'chotto…' and trail off to imply they have no money without saying it explicitly.
- In Japanese, the word お金 (money) often includes the honorific prefix お, which is used to show respect to the object itself. This creates a linguistic sense of treating money with a certain level of social courtesy.
Examples in context
- お金がありません。I have no money.This sentence is useful for stating that you have no money using the form お金がありません.Tatoeba #10933373 by bunbuku, translation #433613 by CK
- 今は、お金がありません。Ima wa, okane ga arimasen.I have no money right now.
- 財布に、お金がありません。Saifu ni, okane ga arimasen.There is no money in my wallet.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about going to a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、カフェに行きませんか？Kenta-san, kafe ni ikimasen ka?Kenta, would you like to go to a cafe?
- 健太 Kentaすみません、今はお金がありません。Sumimasen, ima wa okane ga arimasen.I am sorry, I have no money right now.
- 美咲 Misakiそうですか。残念ですね。Sou desu ka. Zannen desu ne.Is that so? That is too bad.
- 健太 Kentaまた今度、お願いします。Mata kondo, onegaishimasu.Please, let's go another time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
