富
tomi[to̞mʲi]
The English phrase "wealth" is translated into Japanese as 富 (tomi), the default form. Wiktionary also lists 財産 (zaisan) and 財 (takara).
Meaning: riches, valuable material possessions (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 富 | tomi | [to̞mʲi] (narrow) |
| 財産 | zaisan | [d͡za̠isã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 財 | takara | [d͡za̠i] (narrow) |
| 富裕 | fuyū | [ɸɯ̟jɯ̟ː] (narrow) |
The term refers to riches or valuable material possessions. Depending on the context, other terms may be more appropriate: 繁栄 (han'ei) is a formal expression specifically denoting prosperity and economic success, while 裕福 (yūfuku) is a formal term signifying affluence and luxurious abundance.
Which one should you use?
While 富 refers to the abstract concept of wealth, 財産 (zaisan) is used to refer to specific, tangible assets or property such as money, real estate or stocks. Additionally, 富裕 (fuyū) is typically used as a noun or a no-adjective to describe a state of being wealthy or an affluent class, rather than describing the wealth itself.
How do you pronounce it?
tomi
Did you know?
- The character 富 contains the radical for 'roof', which can visually suggest the idea of protecting or storing something valuable under a house.
- When talking about 'wealth' in the context of a 'wealth of information' or 'wealth of resources', Japanese speakers typically avoid 富 and instead use 豊富 (hōfu).
- While 富 describes abstract wealth, it is rarely used in casual conversation, where speakers prefer descriptive phrases about having 'lots of money'.
Examples in context
- 彼は富を蓄えた。He has accumulated wealth.This sentence is useful for showing the verb 'to accumulate' with 富.Tatoeba #100434 by bunbuku, translation #303264 by CM
- 健康は富にまさる。Health is better than wealth.This sentence is useful for comparing health and 富.Tatoeba #175469 by small_snow, translation #18570 by Zifre
- 富は健康や幸福ほど重要ではない。Wealth isn't as important as health or happiness.Tatoeba #10919584 by SomeHungryBois, translation #7492988 by CK
- 彼は富を築いた人物ですね。He is a person who built wealth, isn't he?
- 彼は裕福な生活を楽しんでいます。He is enjoying an affluent life.
- もっと働いて金持ちになろうよ。Let's work more and become rich.
- あの人ボーラーめっちゃ豪遊してるみたい。That person is a baller and seems to be living very extravagantly.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing the meaning of success in a cafe.
- 陽太 Yota本当の富とは何だろうか。Hontō no tomi to wa nan darō ka.I wonder what true wealth is.
- 美咲 Misakiお金だけではないと思うよ。Okane dake de wa nai to omou yo.I think it is not just money.
- 陽太 Yota美咲は、何が豊かさだと思う？Misaki wa, nani ga yutakasa da to omou?Misaki, what do you think constitutes richness?
- 美咲 Misaki家族との時間こそが富だわ。Kazoku to no jikan koso ga tomi da wa.Spending time with family is the real wealth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wealth” translations and entries 富, 財産, 財, 富裕, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
