債務 in 30 Seconds
- Saimu is the formal Japanese term for a legal or financial obligation, commonly translated as 'debt' in business contexts.
- It differs from the casual 'shakkin' by implying a formal, often contractual or legal, duty between a debtor and a creditor.
- The word is frequently seen in news reports regarding national debt (kōteki saimu) or corporate insolvency (saimu chōka).
- In the Japanese Civil Code, it is the counterpart to 'saiken' (credit/claim), representing the duty-side of a legal relationship.
The term 債務 (Saimu) is a cornerstone of Japanese legal and financial terminology. At its core, it represents a legal obligation that one party (the debtor) owes to another party (the creditor). While often translated simply as 'debt', it encompasses a broader range of duties than the colloquial Japanese word shakkin (借金). In a legal sense, a saimu is not just about money; it can be an obligation to provide a service, deliver goods, or even refrain from a certain action. However, in 90% of business and news contexts, it refers to financial liabilities.
- Etymological Breakdown
債 (Sai): This kanji specifically denotes a debt, a loan, or a financial claim. It combines the person radical with the character for 'responsibility' or 'value'.
務 (Mu): This kanji refers to a duty, a task, or a service that one is required to perform. Together, they form 'the duty of debt'.
- Legal Nuance
- In the Japanese Civil Code, saimu is the counterpart to saiken (債権 - credit/claim). If you have a saimu, someone else has a saiken over you.
「会社は多額の債務を抱えているため、再建計画を策定した。」
(Because the company holds a large amount of debt, they have formulated a restructuring plan.)
Common Compound: 債務不履行 (Saimu Furikō)
This is the formal term for 'default'. It literally means 'non-performance of obligation'. If a country cannot pay its bonds, the news will scream 'Saimu Furikō'.
- Types of Saimu
- 金銭債務 (Kinsen Saimu): Monetary debt.
- 引渡債務 (Hikiwatashi Saimu): Obligation to deliver goods.
- 作為債務 (Sakui Saimu): Obligation to perform a specific act.
Historical Context: In the Edo period, debt culture was strictly regulated by the Shogunate to maintain social order among the samurai and merchant classes. Modern saimu laws are a blend of these traditional concepts and 19th-century German civil law.
Using 債務 (Saimu) correctly requires an understanding of Japanese business etiquette and legal precision. It is primarily used as a noun, often paired with verbs like ou (to owe/bear), hensai suru (to repay), or menjo suru (to forgive/exempt).
1. Expressing Financial Liability
In a corporate setting, you don't say a company has 'money problems'; you say they have 'excessive debt' (債務超過 - saimu chōka). This specific term means liabilities exceed assets.
Pattern: [Entity] + は + [Amount] + の債務を + [Verb]
「その国は多額の対外債務を抱えている。」 (That country carries a large amount of external debt.)
2. Legal Obligations in Contracts
When signing a lease or a service agreement, your responsibilities are referred to as saimu. If you fail to pay rent, you are in saimu furikō (default).
- 債務を履行する (Saimu o rikō suru)
- To fulfill an obligation (the formal way to say 'do what you promised').
- 債務を免れる (Saimu o manukareru)
- To be released from or avoid an obligation.
3. Debt Restructuring
If someone is overwhelmed by debt, they undergo saimu seiri (債務整理). This is a formal process involving lawyers to negotiate with creditors.
In summary, use saimu when you want to sound professional, precise, and serious about financial or legal duties. It is the language of banks, courts, and high-level business negotiations.
You are most likely to encounter 債務 (Saimu) in formal environments. It is not a word of the streets, but a word of the institutions.
- NEWS
Economic Reports: "Japan's national debt (公的債務 - kōteki saimu) has reached a new record high." This is a staple phrase in NHK news broadcasts.
- BANK
Loan Agreements: When you take out a mortgage (juutaku rōn), the paperwork will repeatedly use saimu to describe your repayment schedule and the consequences of missing payments.
- DRAMA
Legal/Business Dramas: Shows like 'Hanzawa Naoki' often feature intense scenes where characters discuss saimu chōka (insolvency) or saimu menjō (debt forgiveness) to save or destroy companies.
「政府、途上国の債務免除を検討」
(Government considers debt relief for developing nations)
In daily life, you might see it on a credit card statement under the 'Terms and Conditions' section, or in a letter from a collection agency (which hopefully you never receive!). It is also a key term in bankruptcy proceedings (jikohashan), where the court decides how to handle the individual's saimu.
Because 債務 (Saimu) is a specialized term, even advanced learners (and sometimes native speakers) make specific errors in its application.
- ❌ Confusing Saimu (債務) with Saiken (債権)
This is the most common 'directional' error. Saimu is what you owe. Saiken is what you are owed. If you borrow money from a bank, you have the saimu and the bank has the saiken.
Tip: Remember 'Mu' (務) as in 'Duty'—it's your duty to pay.
- ❌ Using it for Small Personal Favors
If you say 「田中さんに100円の債務がある」 (I have a 100-yen saimu to Mr. Tanaka), it sounds incredibly stiff, almost as if you've signed a legal contract for a single coin. Use shakkin or simply karite iru.
- ❌ Saimu vs. Fusai (負債)
While both mean debt, Fusai is an accounting category. You see fusai on a balance sheet (B/S). Saimu is the legal obligation. You fulfill a saimu; you record a fusai.
Understanding the synonyms and related terms for 債務 (Saimu) helps you choose the right level of formality and the correct context.
借金 (Shakkin)
The most common word for 'debt' or 'borrowed money'. Used in daily life, casual conversation, and general contexts.
Register: Casual/General
負債 (Fusai)
Liabilities. An accounting term used to describe the total debts of a company or individual on financial statements.
Register: Accounting/Business
義務 (Gimu)
Duty or obligation in a general sense (like the duty to vote or the duty to go to school). Saimu is a subset of gimu specifically for debts.
Register: General/Legal
借入金 (Kariirekin)
Loans payable. Specifically refers to money borrowed from a bank or institution that must be paid back with interest.
Register: Finance/Banking
Nuance Comparison Table
| Word | Focus | Best For... |
|---|---|---|
| 債務 | Legal Duty | Contracts, Law |
| 借金 | Money Borrowed | Friends, Personal |
| 負債 | Financial Balance | Company Reports |
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
〜を負う (To bear/carry responsibility/debt)
〜に基づく (Based on...)
〜に陥る (To fall into a bad state)
〜を免れる (To escape/be exempt from)
〜とみなす (To consider/deem as)
Examples by Level
彼は銀行に債務があります。
He has a debt to the bank.
債務があります (Saimu ga arimasu) is the formal way to say 'has a debt'.
債務を払わなければなりません。
I must pay the debt.
〜なければなりません (must) is used here for a formal obligation.
これは私の債務です。
This is my debt/obligation.
Simple A is B structure using the formal word 'saimu'.
債務はいくらですか？
How much is the debt?
Asking for the amount of a formal obligation.
父は債務を返しました。
My father paid back the debt.
返しました (kaeshimashita) means 'returned' or 'paid back'.
債務の意味を知っていますか？
Do you know the meaning of 'saimu'?
〜を知っていますか (Do you know?) is a basic A1 question.
債務がない生活は幸せです。
A life without debt is happy.
債務がない (no debt) modifies the noun 'seikatsu' (life).
この紙に債務が書いてあります。
The debt is written on this paper.
〜てあります (is written/done) indicates a state.
会社は多額の債務を抱えています。
The company is carrying a large amount of debt.
抱える (kakaeru) literally means 'to hold in one's arms', used here for carrying debt.
彼は債務を整理することにしました。
He decided to organize (restructure) his debts.
〜することにしました (decided to do) is a common A2 grammar point.
債務をすべて返済するのは大変です。
It is difficult to repay all the debt.
返済する (hensai suru) is a formal verb for 'repay'.
ニュースで国の債務について聞きました。
I heard about the national debt on the news.
〜について (about) is used to indicate the topic.
債務者は名前を書いてください。
Debtors, please write your name.
債務者 (saimusha) means 'the person who owes the debt'.
彼は債務を逃れるために引っ越しました。
He moved away to escape his debts.
〜ために (in order to) indicates purpose.
銀行は債務の免除を認めませんでした。
The bank did not approve the debt exemption.
免除 (menjo) means 'exemption' or 'forgiveness'.
債務の内容を確認しましょう。
Let's confirm the details of the debt.
〜ましょう (let's) is used for a suggestion.
その企業は債務超過に陥り、倒産した。
The company fell into insolvency and went bankrupt.
債務超過 (saimu chōka) is when liabilities exceed assets.
債務不履行は信用を失う原因になります。
Defaulting on debt causes a loss of trust.
債務不履行 (saimu furikō) is the formal term for 'default'.
弁護士に相談して、債務整理の手続きを始めた。
I consulted a lawyer and started the debt consolidation process.
〜て、 (te-form for sequence) connecting actions.
この契約書には債務の履行期限が記されている。
The deadline for fulfilling the obligation is stated in this contract.
履行期限 (rikō kigen) means 'performance deadline'.
政府は対外債務の削減を求めている。
The government is calling for a reduction in external debt.
対外債務 (taigai saimu) refers to debt owed to foreign entities.
債務を保証するために、担保が必要だ。
Collateral is necessary to guarantee the debt.
担保 (tanpo) means 'collateral' or 'security'.
彼は多額の債務を抱えながらも、事業を続けた。
Despite carrying heavy debt, he continued his business.
〜ながらも (even while/despite) shows contrast.
債務の返済計画を見直す必要がある。
It is necessary to review the debt repayment plan.
見直す (minaosu) means 'to review' or 'to reconsider'.
債務者は、債権者に対して誠実に債務を履行しなければならない。
The debtor must faithfully fulfill their obligations to the creditor.
誠実に (seijitsu ni) means 'faithfully' or 'sincerely'.
債務の消滅時効が成立したため、支払う必要がなくなった。
Since the statute of limitations for the debt has expired, there is no longer a need to pay.
消滅時効 (shōmetsu jikō) is the statute of limitations for the extinction of a claim.
連帯保証人は、主債務者と同じ責任を負う。
A joint guarantor bears the same responsibility as the primary debtor.
連帯保証人 (rentai hoshōnin) is a very important legal term in Japan.
債務の弁済は、原則として債権者の住所で行う。
In principle, repayment of debt should be performed at the creditor's address.
弁済 (bensai) is the formal legal term for 'payment' or 'settlement'.
不法行為によって生じた損害賠償債務を負う。
One bears the obligation to pay damages resulting from a tortious act.
損害賠償債務 (songai baishō saimu) is the obligation to pay compensation.
債務の引受けには、債権者の承諾が必要である。
The assumption of debt requires the consent of the creditor.
引受け (hikiuke) refers to taking over an obligation.
金銭債務の場合、不可抗力による免責は認められない。
In the case of monetary debt, exemption due to force majeure is not recognized.
不可抗力 (fukakōryoku) means 'force majeure' or 'act of God'.
債務の履行が不能となった場合、契約は解除できる。
If fulfillment of the obligation becomes impossible, the contract can be canceled.
履行不能 (rikō funō) means 'impossibility of performance'.
債務の履行を遅滞したことにより、遅延損害金が発生した。
Due to the delay in fulfilling the obligation, late payment penalties have accrued.
履行遅滞 (rikō chitai) is the legal term for 'delay in performance'.
特定の債務を目的とする担保権を設定する。
Establish a security interest aimed at a specific obligation.
担保権 (tanpoken) refers to security rights or collateral rights.
債務の相殺により、双方の債権債務を消滅させる。
By offsetting the debts, the claims and obligations of both parties are extinguished.
相殺 (sōsai) means 'set-off' or 'offsetting'.
債務者が行方不明の場合、公示送達の手続きが必要になる。
If the debtor is missing, service by public notification is required.
公示送達 (kōji sōtatsu) is a formal legal notification process.
譲渡制限付株式の交付は、一種の債務の履行とみなされる。
The delivery of restricted stock is considered a type of fulfillment of obligation.
〜とみなされる (is considered/deemed as).
債務の承認は、時効の中断事由となる。
Acknowledgment of the debt serves as a ground for interrupting the statute of limitations.
時効の中断 (jikō no chūdan) means 'interruption of prescription'.
物権的請求権と債務の履行は、法的に峻別されるべきである。
Real rights-based claims and the fulfillment of obligations should be legally distinguished.
峻別される (shunbetsu sareru) means 'to be strictly distinguished'.
債務の弁済期が到来したにもかかわらず、支払いがなされていない。
Despite the debt's due date having arrived, payment has not been made.
弁済期 (bensaiki) is the 'time for payment' or 'due date'.
債務の性質がその履行を許さない場合、強制執行は制限される。
If the nature of the obligation does not permit its performance, compulsory execution is restricted.
強制執行 (kyōsei shikkō) means 'compulsory execution' or 'enforcement'.
選択債務において、選択権の行使は相手方に対する意思表示によって行う。
In alternative obligations, the exercise of the right of choice is made by a declaration of intent to the other party.
選択債務 (sentaku saimu) refers to alternative obligations.
債務者の無資力により、債権者代位権の行使が正当化される。
The debtor's insolvency justifies the exercise of the creditor's right of subrogation.
債権者代位権 (saikensha daiiken) is the creditor's right to exercise the debtor's rights.
詐害行為取消権は、債務者が自己の財産を減少させる行為を抑制する。
The right to revoke fraudulent acts restrains the debtor from actions that decrease their own assets.
詐害行為取消権 (sagai kōi torishashiken) is a key concept in civil law.
不確定期限付き債務は、期限の到来を知った時から遅滞に陥る。
An obligation with an uncertain due date falls into delay from the time the arrival of the due date is known.
不確定期限 (fukatei kigen) is a deadline that will happen but the exact time is unknown.
種類債務の特定により、善管注意義務の内容が変容する。
The specification of a generic obligation transforms the content of the duty of care of a good manager.
善管注意義務 (zenkan chūi gimu) is the high standard of care required in legal duties.
債務の免責的引受けは、新債務者と債権者との契約によっても可能である。
A dischargeable assumption of debt is also possible through a contract between the new debtor and the creditor.
免責的引受け (mensekiteki hikiuke) means the original debtor is completely released.
交互計算期間中の債権債務は、その期間の終了まで独立性を失う。
Claims and obligations during a current account period lose their independence until the end of that period.
交互計算 (kōgo keisan) refers to a current account or 'running account' in business.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Saiken is the 'plus' side (what you get); Saimu is the 'minus' side (what you give).
Saiken (different kanji) is a financial instrument like a government bond. Saimu is the obligation itself.
Gimu is general (moral/legal duty); Saimu is specific to a creditor-debtor relationship.
Shakkin is common/casual; Saimu is formal/legal.
Fusai is an accounting category; Saimu is the legal duty.
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Saimu can be non-monetary; Shakkin is almost always money.
Saimu is clinical and legal; Shakkin is personal and emotional.
Tips
Use in Business
When writing emails about payments, use 'saimu' to sound professional. It shows you understand legal obligations. However, only use it for significant amounts or formal contracts. For small reimbursements, stick to simpler terms.
The Kanji Pair
Remember that 'Sai' (債) is only for debt. You won't see it in many other common words. 'Mu' (務) is in 'work' (shigoto/jimun). So it's 'Debt-Work'. It's the work you have to do because you owe money.
News Context
When you hear 'saimu' on the news, look for the word 'chōka' (excess) or 'furikō' (non-performance). These tell you if the company or country is in big trouble. It's a key word for understanding economic health. Most news stories about the economy use this word.
Contract Awareness
If you see 'saimu' in a contract you are signing, pay close attention. It defines what you MUST do. Failure to do so is 'saimu furikō'. Always clarify what the specific 'saimu' is before signing. It is the most important part of any agreement.
Avoid Overuse
Don't use 'saimu' with friends. It sounds like you are treating the friendship like a legal transaction. Use 'shakkin' or 'karite iru' instead. Reserve 'saimu' for the bank or your boss. Register is very important in Japanese culture.
Learn with Saiken
Always learn 'Saimu' and 'Saiken' together. They are two sides of the same coin. Saimu = Debt (Minus), Saiken = Credit (Plus). If you know one, the other is easy to remember. They are the 'yin and yang' of Japanese finance.
Pitch Accent
The pitch is on the first syllable: SA-imu. If you say it flat, it might be harder to understand in a fast sentence. Practice saying it with a sharp start. This is the standard Tokyo accent for this word.
Verb Collocation
The most common verb is 'ou' (to bear). 'Saimu o ou' is a set phrase. You don't 'make' a saimu, you 'bear' it. Use this phrase in your writing to sound natural. It is the most common way to say someone has a debt.
Social Context
Understand that 'saimu' is a heavy word. In Japan, being a 'saimusha' (debtor) is often seen as a failure of responsibility. Use the word with the appropriate level of seriousness. It is not a light topic in Japanese society.
Kanji Accuracy
Be careful not to confuse the kanji for 'Sai' (債) with 'Sa' (催 - urge). They look similar but have very different meanings. 'Sai' has the 'person' radical on the left. Make sure you write it correctly in formal documents.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Sino-Japanese (Kango)
Cultural Context
High social pressure to repay debts; 'saimu' is the polite, clinical way to discuss it.
Law firms often advertise 'saimu seiri' services to the public.
Heavily influenced by German law, emphasizing the 'duty' aspect of obligations.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"日本の公的債務についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japan's public debt?)"
"債務整理の広告をよく見かけますが、日本は借金が多いのでしょうか？ (I often see ads for debt restructuring; does Japan have a lot of debt?)"
"契約書にある『債務』という言葉の意味を教えてください。 (Please tell me the meaning of the word 'saimu' in the contract.)"
"会社が債務超過になったら、どうすればいいですか？ (What should be done if a company becomes insolvent?)"
"債務を履行しない場合、どのような罰則がありますか？ (What penalties are there if one does not fulfill an obligation?)"
Journal Prompts
将来、大きな債務（住宅ローンなど）を負うことについてどう感じますか？ (How do you feel about taking on a large debt like a mortgage in the future?)
国の債務が増え続けることの影響について書きなさい。 (Write about the impact of a country's debt continuing to increase.)
『債務』と『義務』の違いについて、自分の言葉で説明してください。 (Explain the difference between 'saimu' and 'gimu' in your own words.)
もし友人が多額の債務を抱えていたら、どのようなアドバイスをしますか？ (If a friend had a large debt, what advice would you give?)
債務のない生活を送るために必要なことは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is necessary to live a life without debt?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, while usually financial, 'saimu' can refer to any legal obligation. For example, if you promise to paint a house in a contract, that is a 'saimu'. It is the duty to perform an action. However, in daily news, it almost always refers to money. You should check the context to be sure.
'Shakkin' is the common word for 'borrowed money' used in daily life. 'Saimu' is a formal, legal term. You use 'shakkin' with friends and 'saimu' in a courtroom or bank. 'Saimu' sounds much more serious and professional. Using 'saimu' for a small loan from a friend would be very strange.
It means 'default of obligation'. This happens when a debtor fails to fulfill their duty, such as not paying back a loan on time. It is a very serious term in finance and law. If a country cannot pay its debts, it is called 'saimu furikō'. It leads to legal action and loss of credit.
Generally, no. For moral or social duties, the word 'gimu' (義務) or 'on' (恩) is used. 'Saimu' is strictly for legal or contractual obligations. If you feel you owe a friend a favor, you wouldn't use 'saimu'. You would say you have an 'on' or a 'giri' to them.
It means 'insolvency' or 'negative equity'. It is a state where a person's or company's total liabilities (saimu) exceed their total assets. In this state, even if they sold everything they owned, they still couldn't pay back their debts. It is often a precursor to bankruptcy (倒産).
The most formal way is 'saimu o rikō suru' (to fulfill the obligation) or 'saimu o hensai suru' (to repay the debt). 'Hensai' is specifically for money. 'Rikō' is for any kind of obligation. In casual Japanese, you would just say 'shakkin o kaesu'.
It is very common in newspapers, business news, and legal documents. It is not common in casual spoken Japanese. If you watch the news or read about the economy, you will see it every day. It is an essential word for anyone doing business in Japan.
A 'saimusha' (債務者) is the debtor—the person or entity that owes the obligation. The person who is owed the money is the 'saikensha' (債権者). In a bank loan, you are the 'saimusha' and the bank is the 'saikensha'. These terms are used constantly in legal paperwork.
It is 'debt consolidation' or 'debt restructuring'. It is a legal process where a lawyer helps a person with too much debt to negotiate with creditors. They might reduce the interest or extend the payment period. You often see advertisements for this in Japanese trains and on TV.
Yes, the national debt is often called 'kōteki saimu' (public debt) or 'kuni no saimu'. Because the amounts are so large and the context is the government, the formal word 'saimu' is always used instead of 'shakkin'. It sounds more official and serious in an economic context.
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Summary
While 'shakkin' is for borrowing lunch money, 'saimu' is for the serious world of banks, law, and international finance. It signifies a binding legal duty that must be fulfilled (rikō) to avoid default (saimu furikō).
- Saimu is the formal Japanese term for a legal or financial obligation, commonly translated as 'debt' in business contexts.
- It differs from the casual 'shakkin' by implying a formal, often contractual or legal, duty between a debtor and a creditor.
- The word is frequently seen in news reports regarding national debt (kōteki saimu) or corporate insolvency (saimu chōka).
- In the Japanese Civil Code, it is the counterpart to 'saiken' (credit/claim), representing the duty-side of a legal relationship.
Use in Business
When writing emails about payments, use 'saimu' to sound professional. It shows you understand legal obligations. However, only use it for significant amounts or formal contracts. For small reimbursements, stick to simpler terms.
The Kanji Pair
Remember that 'Sai' (債) is only for debt. You won't see it in many other common words. 'Mu' (務) is in 'work' (shigoto/jimun). So it's 'Debt-Work'. It's the work you have to do because you owe money.
News Context
When you hear 'saimu' on the news, look for the word 'chōka' (excess) or 'furikō' (non-performance). These tell you if the company or country is in big trouble. It's a key word for understanding economic health. Most news stories about the economy use this word.
Contract Awareness
If you see 'saimu' in a contract you are signing, pay close attention. It defines what you MUST do. Failure to do so is 'saimu furikō'. Always clarify what the specific 'saimu' is before signing. It is the most important part of any agreement.
Example
債務を返済します。
Related Content
More Law words
告訴
A1A formal criminal complaint or legal accusation filed by a victim to the police or a prosecutor. It specifically refers to the victim's request for the offender to be punished under criminal law.
協定
A1A formal agreement or arrangement reached between two or more parties, often regarding mutual cooperation or rules. It is typically used in legal, political, or business contexts to establish standards or protocols.
恩赦
A1A formal act by a government or head of state to pardon people convicted of political or criminal offenses. It results in the reduction of sentences or the restoration of legal rights, usually granted during significant national events.
上訴
A1A legal term referring to the act of appealing a lower court's decision to a higher court to seek a reversal or modification. It is a general term that encompasses different types of appeals within the judicial system, such as kouso and joukoku.
可決
A1The official approval of a proposal, bill, or motion by a voting body or committee. It indicates that a formal decision has been made to accept and pass a specific suggestion after a deliberation process.
逮捕
A1The legal act of taking someone into custody by the police or authorities due to a suspected crime. It specifically refers to the restriction of physical freedom under law rather than just physical catching.
放火
A1The act of intentionally setting fire to a building, property, or forest. In Japanese society and law, it is regarded as a very serious criminal offense.
暴行
A1Bōkō refers to the act of using physical force or violence against a person. It is often used in legal contexts to describe assault or physical battery, implying a direct and harmful physical encounter.
保釈
A1Bail; the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, usually on the condition that a sum of money is paid to the court as a guarantee of their appearance. It specifically refers to the legal process of being freed from detention before a final judgment is made.
背任
A1A legal and business term referring to the act of a person in a position of trust acting against their duties to benefit themselves or a third party. This breach of trust results in financial or reputational damage to the employer or principal.
