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B1 noun #6,000 most common 7 min read

家計

kakei Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 家計 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 家計 in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of 家計 (kakei) as 'house money.' While this word might be a bit advanced for absolute beginners, you can understand it by looking at the first character 家 (house). It's the money a family uses for food, clothes, and toys. You might hear it when people talk about 'saving money at home.' It's like your piggy bank, but for the whole family! Even at this level, knowing that 'ka' means house helps you guess that this word is related to things happening inside the home. Just remember: 家 (house) + 計 (plan/math) = House Math!

At the A2 level, 家計 (kakei) is an important word for talking about daily life and family. You can use it to say things like 'I help the house money' or 'the house money is difficult.' It's often used with simple verbs like tasukeru (to help) or mamoru (to protect/keep). You might also see the word 家計簿 (kakeibo), which is the book where you write down how much you spend. Many people in Japan use these books to make sure they don't spend too much. Learning this word helps you talk about your chores and responsibilities at home.

At the B1 level, you should start using 家計 (kakei) in more complex ways. This is the level where you talk about 'managing' (やりくりする) the budget or 'reviewing' (見直す) your spending. You'll encounter this word in news stories about inflation or when discussing social issues like 'dual-income families' (共働き) and how they support the 家計. It's no longer just 'house money'; it's a 'household budget.' You should be able to explain how high prices affect your kakei and what steps you take to save money. This word is key for participating in adult conversations about life and society.

At the B2 level, 家計 becomes a technical term in the context of economics and social policy. You will use it to discuss topics like 'household consumption patterns' (家計の消費パターン) or 'the impact of tax hikes on household finances.' You should understand collocations like kakei o appaku suru (to strain the budget) or kakei ni yutori ga nai (to have no financial leeway). At this level, you can compare the kakei of different generations or talk about the long-term financial planning required for a family, such as saving for mortgages or university fees. You should also be comfortable using it in formal writing or presentations about domestic economics.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 家計 should include its role as a microeconomic unit. You will analyze how kakei behavior influences national trends, such as the savings rate or the consumer price index. You should be able to discuss 'household assets' (家計資産) and 'disposable income' (可処分所得) in relation to the kakei. The word appears in high-level literature and academic papers to describe the sociological aspects of family life and the distribution of power within the home (who controls the kakei). You can use the word with nuance, perhaps discussing how the digitalization of kakei management is changing consumer habits in Japan.

At the C2 level, 家計 is a versatile tool in your vocabulary for discussing complex economic theories and fiscal policies. You can articulate the 'kakei' sector's response to monetary easing or the structural changes in household finances due to an aging population (少子高齢化). You understand the historical evolution of the kakei management system in Japan, from the traditional 'shufu' (housewife) role to modern diverse family structures. You can use the term in professional debates about wealth inequality, social safety nets, and the resilience of the household sector during global financial crises. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, incorporating subtle cultural and economic implications.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

家計 in 30 Seconds

家計 (Kakei) means household budget or family finances, focusing on the income and spending of a family unit.
It is commonly used with verbs like 'manage' (やりくりする), 'support' (支える), and 'strain' (圧迫する).
The physical record of a kakei is called a 'kakeibo' (household account book), which is culturally significant in Japan.
While 'yosan' is a specific budget for a goal, 'kakei' is the general ongoing financial state of a home.

The Japanese word 家計 (kakei) is a fundamental noun that translates most accurately to 'household budget' or 'family finances.' It is composed of two kanji: 家 (ie/ka), meaning house or family, and 計 (kei), meaning plan, measurement, or calculation. Together, they describe the entire economic ecosystem of a single household. This isn't just about the money in a wallet; it encompasses the income, expenditures, savings, and general financial health of a family unit. In Japanese society, the concept of kakei is deeply ingrained in daily life, often associated with the diligent management of resources to ensure stability and future security.

Daily Life Context: When a couple discusses whether they can afford a new car or a vacation, they are talking about the 家計. It is the primary term used when discussing the rising cost of groceries or utility bills and how those changes impact the family's ability to save money.
Economic Context: In news reports and economic papers, 家計 is used to describe consumer behavior on a macro level. Terms like 'household consumption' (家計消費) or 'household debt' (家計債務) are common in discussions about the national economy's health.
Social Context: The person in the family who manages the money (historically often the housewife, though this is changing) is said to be 'responsible for the 家計.' Managing the 家計 is seen as a vital skill for maintaining a harmonious home.

最近の物価高が家計を直撃している。
The recent rise in prices is directly hitting the household budget.

Understanding 家計 also requires understanding the 'Kakeibo' (家計簿), the physical or digital ledger used to track these finances. For many Japanese people, the act of recording every yen spent is a meditative and necessary part of life. This cultural emphasis on tracking makes the word 家計 feel more active and managed than the English word 'finances' might suggest. It implies a level of care and intentionality in how money is distributed within the home. Whether it's saving for a child's education or dealing with the 'pinch' of a salary cut, 家計 is the word that centers the conversation on the family's survival and prosperity.

共働きをして、家計を支える。
Both partners work to support the household finances.

Using 家計 correctly involves understanding the verbs it typically pairs with. Because it represents a dynamic system of money, the verbs usually describe management, support, or impact. For instance, 'managing the budget' is kakei o yarikuri suru, while 'supporting the budget' is kakei o sasaeru. These collocations are essential for sounding natural in Japanese.

Managing and Balancing: The verb やりくりする (yari-kuri suru) is the most common way to describe making ends meet. It implies a bit of struggle or cleverness in shifting funds around to cover everything.
Example: 家計をやりくりするのは大変だ。(Managing the household budget is tough.)
Financial Pressure: When expenses go up, we use the verb 圧迫する (appaku suru - to pressure/oppress).
Example: 高い家賃が家計を圧迫している。(The high rent is putting pressure on the household budget.)

彼は副業をして、家計の足しにしている。
He does a side job to supplement the household budget.

Another important pattern is using 家計 as a subject with adjectives like 'tight' or 'difficult.' You might hear kakei ga kurushii (the budget is tight/painful) or kakei ni yutori ga aru (there is room/leeway in the budget). These expressions help convey the emotional state of the family's financial situation, not just the numbers.

子供の教育費が家計の大きな負担になっている。
Children's education costs are becoming a big burden on the household budget.

将来のために、家計を見直すことにした。
We decided to review the household budget for the sake of the future.

You will encounter 家計 in several distinct environments in Japan, ranging from the very private to the very public. Its versatility makes it one of the most useful economic terms for intermediate learners to master.

The Evening News: Whenever the government releases data on inflation (物価上昇), the news will interview 'people on the street' (usually shoppers) about how it affects their 家計. You'll hear phrases like '家計に響く' (affecting the budget) or '家計が苦しい' (the budget is tight).
Financial Institutions: Banks and insurance companies frequently offer '家計相談' (household budget consultations). Here, professionals help families look at their 家計 to plan for retirement or mortgage payments.
Lifestyle Magazines: Magazines like 'ESSE' or 'Orange Page' often have features on '家計の節約術' (household budget saving techniques). These articles provide tips on how to trim the 家計 by reducing food waste or electricity usage.

政府は家計支援策を打ち出した。
The government launched measures to support household budgets.

In a more personal setting, 家計 is the word used between spouses when discussing their shared life. It is less clinical than 'finances' and more inclusive of the family's overall well-being. If someone says '家計を任されている' (I am entrusted with the budget), they are describing their role as the financial manager of the home, a position of significant responsibility.

電気代の値上げは、多くの家計にとって大打撃だ。
The increase in electricity prices is a major blow to many household budgets.

While 家計 is a common word, learners often confuse it with other financial terms or use it in contexts where it doesn't quite fit. The most common error is using it to refer to non-family finances.

Confusion with 予算 (Yosan): 'Yosan' means 'budget' in the sense of a specific amount of money allocated for a specific purpose (e.g., 'the budget for this trip'). 家計 is the general state of family finances. You don't say 'the kakei for this dinner is 5000 yen'; you use 'yosan' there.
Confusion with 経済 (Keizai): 'Keizai' means 'economy' in a broad sense. While you can talk about 'home economy' (家庭経済), 家計 is the much more natural, everyday term for the money coming in and going out of a house.
Misusing 'Kakeibo': Learners sometimes say 'I am managing the kakeibo' when they mean they are managing the family's money. Kakeibo is the book; 家計 is the money itself. You 'write in' the kakeibo, but you 'manage' the 家計.

❌ 会社の家計をチェックする。
✅ 会社の経理をチェックする。
You check the 'accounting' (keiri) of a company, not the 'kakei.'

Another mistake is using 家計 when referring to an individual's personal spending if they live alone and don't consider themselves a 'household.' While technically possible, words like 'kojin no saifu' (personal wallet/finances) or 'seikatsu-hi' (living expenses) are often more common for single students or young professionals.

❌ 旅行の家計はいくらですか？
✅ 旅行の予算はいくらですか？
What is the budget (yosan) for the trip?

To truly master 家計, you should know the words that surround it in the semantic field of finance. Depending on the level of formality and the specific focus, you might choose a different term.

生活費 (Seikatsu-hi): Meaning: Living expenses.
Difference: This refers specifically to the money spent on daily needs (food, rent, bills). 家計 is broader, including income and savings.
財政 (Zaisei): Meaning: Public finance / Fiscal state.
Difference: This is used for governments or large organizations. You might jokingly say 'waga ya no zaisei' (my house's public finances) to sound dramatic about being broke, but 家計 is the standard term.
懐 (Futokoro): Meaning: Pocket / Bosom / Personal funds.
Difference: This is an idiomatic way to talk about having money 'on hand.' 'Futokoro ga samui' (my pocket is cold) means you don't have much money right now.

今月は生活費を切り詰めなければならない。
I have to cut down on living expenses (seikatsu-hi) this month.

When comparing 家計 to 'budget,' remember that 'yosan' (予算) is a plan for future spending, while 家計 is the ongoing reality of the family's financial life. If you want to talk about the 'wallet' of the family in a metaphorical sense, you can use 'saifu' (財布). For example, 'Kakei no saifu o nigiru' (to hold the strings of the household purse) is a common expression for who controls the money.

妻が家計の財布を握っている。
My wife holds the household purse strings.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'Kakeibo' was popularized by Hani Motoko, Japan's first female journalist, in 1904, to help women manage their homes more scientifically.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ka.keː/

US /kɑ.keɪ/

Japanese is pitch-accented. In 'Kakei', the accent usually starts low and rises, but it varies by dialect.

Rhymes With

Tokei (Clock) Takei (Various forms) Zaikai (Financial circles) Sekai (World) Kikai (Machine) Shikai (View) Gekai (Surgeon) Mikai (Unopened)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kei' as 'ki' (ka-ki).
Shortening the 'ei' sound too much.
Confusing the pitch with 'Kake' (betting/gamble).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are common but require knowledge of the 'kei' reading.

Writing 3/5

Writing 'kei' (計) correctly is important for many words.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once the long vowel is mastered.

Listening 2/5

Frequently heard in news and family dramas.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

家 (House) お金 (Money) 計算 (Calculation) 生活 (Life) 家族 (Family)

Learn Next

予算 (Budget) 節約 (Saving) 投資 (Investment) 税金 (Tax) 貯金 (Savings)

Advanced

可処分所得 (Disposable Income) 消費者物価指数 (CPI) 資産運用 (Asset Management) 経済指標 (Economic Indicators) 財政政策 (Fiscal Policy)

Grammar to Know

Using '～を支える' for support.

彼は一人で家計を支えている。

Using '～に響く' for negative impact.

増税は家計に響く。

Using '～をやりくりする' for management.

給料の範囲内で家計をやりくりする。

Using '～が苦しい' for financial difficulty.

最近、家計が苦しい。

Using '～を見直す' for reviewing/changing.

家計を見直して貯金を増やす。

Examples by Level

家計を助けます。

I help the household finances.

Simple object + verb pattern.

家計は大切です。

The household budget is important.

A is B pattern using 'wa'.

母は家計をチェックします。

My mother checks the household budget.

Subject + object + verb.

家計のために貯金します。

I save money for the sake of the household budget.

Using 'no tame ni' (for the sake of).

家計簿を書きます。

I write in the household account book.

'Kakeibo' is the book version of 'Kakei'.

家計が大変です。

The household finances are tough.

Using 'taihen' to describe a situation.

家計のお金を使います。

I use the household money.

Possessive 'no' linking house money.

父も家計を考えます。

My father also thinks about the household budget.

Using 'mo' for 'also'.

毎月の家計を管理しています。

I manage the monthly household budget.

Verb 'kanri suru' means to manage.

家計を支えるために働きます。

I work to support the household budget.

'Sasaeru' is a common verb for supporting finances.

家計に余裕がありません。

There is no leeway in the household budget.

'Yutori ga nai' means no room/extra.

家計の節約を始めました。

I started saving on the household budget.

'Setsuyaku' (saving) is often paired with kakei.

家計簿をつけるのは難しいです。

Keeping a household account book is difficult.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no wa'.

家計について夫と話しました。

I talked with my husband about the household budget.

'Nitsuite' means 'about'.

家計が苦しくなりました。

The household budget has become tight.

Using 'naru' to show a change in state.

家計を助ける副業を探しています。

I'm looking for a side job to help the household budget.

Relative clause modifying 'side job'.

物価の上昇が家計を直撃している。

The rise in prices is directly hitting household budgets.

'Chokugeki suru' (to hit directly) is a common news term.

家計をやりくりするのは妻の役目だ。

Managing the household budget is my wife's role.

'Yarikuri suru' implies making ends meet.

家計を見直して、無駄を省くことにした。

We decided to review the household budget and eliminate waste.

'Minaosu' (review) and 'habuku' (eliminate).

子供の教育費が家計を圧迫している。

Children's education costs are straining the household budget.

'Appaku suru' means to put pressure on.

家計の足しにするために、パートに出る。

I'll take a part-time job to supplement the household budget.

'Kakei no tashi ni suru' is a set phrase for supplementing.

家計に占める食費の割合が高い。

The proportion of food expenses in the household budget is high.

'Shimeru' means to occupy/account for.

将来の不安から、多くの人が家計を引き締めている。

Due to future anxiety, many people are tightening their household budgets.

'Hikishimeru' means to tighten/constrict.

家計の状況を把握することが大切だ。

It is important to grasp the situation of the household budget.

'Haaku suru' means to grasp/understand clearly.

家計調査の結果、消費支出が減少したことが分かった。

As a result of the household survey, it was found that consumption expenditure decreased.

'Kakei Chosa' is the official Household Survey in Japan.

増税は家計に大きな打撃を与えるだろう。

The tax increase will likely deal a major blow to household budgets.

'Dageki o ataeru' (to deal a blow).

家計の金融資産の大半が預貯金である。

The majority of household financial assets are in savings and deposits.

'Kinyu shisan' means financial assets.

低所得世帯の家計は、より厳しい状況にある。

The household budgets of low-income families are in a more severe situation.

'Teishotoku seitai' means low-income household.

共働き世帯の増加が、家計の構造を変化させている。

The increase in dual-income households is changing the structure of household finances.

'Kozo' means structure.

家計の防衛策として、投資を始める人が増えている。

As a defensive measure for household budgets, more people are starting to invest.

'Boeisaku' means defensive measure.

電気代の補助金が家計の負担を軽減した。

Subsidies for electricity bills reduced the burden on household budgets.

'Keigen suru' means to reduce/lighten.

家計のバランスシートを作成して、資産を確認する。

Create a household balance sheet to confirm assets.

Using business terms like 'balance sheet' in a domestic context.

家計の貯蓄率の低下は、日本経済の課題の一つである。

The decline in the household savings rate is one of the challenges for the Japanese economy.

'Chochiku-ritsu' means savings rate.

家計部門における過剰債務が、景気回復の足かせとなっている。

Excessive debt in the household sector is acting as a drag on economic recovery.

'Ashikase' (shackle/drag) is a metaphorical expression.

インフレ期待の高まりが、家計の消費行動を慎重にさせている。

Rising inflation expectations are making household consumption behavior more cautious.

Causative form 'sasete iru'.

家計の所得再分配機能が十分に働いていない。

The income redistribution function of the household sector is not working sufficiently.

'Shotoku saibunpai' (income redistribution).

デジタル化により、家計管理の効率性が飛躍的に向上した。

Digitalization has dramatically improved the efficiency of household budget management.

'Hiyakuteki ni' means dramatically/by leaps and bounds.

家計のレジリエンスを高めるための政策が求められている。

Policies to increase the resilience of household finances are being called for.

'Resilience' is used as a loanword in economic contexts.

家計の購買力低下が、内需の停滞を招いている。

The decline in household purchasing power is leading to a stagnation of domestic demand.

'Kobairyoku' (purchasing power) and 'naiju' (domestic demand).

世帯主の雇用形態の変化が、家計の安定性に影を落としている。

Changes in the employment status of the head of the household are casting a shadow on financial stability.

'Kage o otosu' (to cast a shadow) is a literary expression.

家計の異質性を考慮したマクロ経済モデルの構築が必要だ。

It is necessary to construct macroeconomic models that take into account household heterogeneity.

'Ishitsusei' (heterogeneity) is a high-level academic term.

家計の資産構成は、金融リテラシーの格差を如実に反映している。

The composition of household assets vividly reflects the gap in financial literacy.

'Nyojitsu ni' means vividly/clearly.

社会保障制度の持続可能性は、家計の将来不安と密接に関連している。

The sustainability of the social security system is closely linked to household anxiety about the future.

'Missetsu ni' (closely).

家計の行動原理を解明することが、有効な経済政策の立案に不可欠である。

Elucidating the principles of household behavior is indispensable for formulating effective economic policies.

'Kodo genri' (principles of behavior).

家計における無償労働の価値を経済的に評価する試みがなされている。

Attempts are being made to economically evaluate the value of unpaid labor within the household.

'Musho rodo' (unpaid labor).

家計の貯蓄から投資へのシフトは、資本市場の活性化を促す。

The shift from savings to investment in the household sector promotes the revitalization of capital markets.

'Kasseika o unagasu' (to promote revitalization).

家計の負債比率の上昇は、金融システムの脆弱性を高めるリスクを孕んでいる。

The rise in the household debt-to-income ratio carries the risk of increasing the vulnerability of the financial system.

'Risku o harande iru' (to involve/be fraught with risk).

家計の消費構造の変容は、産業構造の転換をも示唆している。

The transformation of household consumption structures also suggests a shift in industrial structures.

'Hen-yo' (transformation) and 'shisa suru' (to suggest).

Common Collocations

家計を支える

家計をやりくりする

家計を圧迫する

家計を見直す

家計を助ける

家計が苦しい

家計に余裕がある

家計を任される

家計に響く

家計簿をつける

Common Phrases

家計の足しにする

— To add a little to the family budget (usually via extra work).

メルカリで物を売って、家計の足しにする。

家計のやりくり上手

— Someone who is good at managing the household budget.

彼女は家計のやりくり上手だ。

家計に優しい

— Friendly to the budget (cheap/economical).

このスーパーは家計に優しい価格だ。

家計のピンチ

— A household financial crisis or 'pinch'.

急な出費で家計がピンチだ。

家計の負担

— The burden on the household budget.

通信費が家計の負担になっている。

家計を守る

— To protect or maintain the household finances.

不況の中でも家計を守り抜く。

家計への影響

— The influence/impact on the household budget.

増税の家計への影響を考える。

家計相談

— Financial counseling for households.

FPに家計相談を依頼した。

家計診断

— A 'diagnosis' or check-up of household finances.

ネットで家計診断をしてみた。

家計を切り詰める

— To cut down or tighten the household budget.

外食を控えて家計を切り詰める。

Often Confused With

家計 vs 予算 (Yosan)

Yosan is for a specific future plan; Kakei is the general financial state.

家計 vs 経理 (Keiri)

Keiri is business accounting; Kakei is home finances.

家計 vs 経済 (Keizai)

Keizai is the broad economy; Kakei is the micro household level.

Idioms & Expressions

"家計の財布を握る"

— To control the household finances.

我が家では妻が家計の財布を握っている。

Common

"火の車"

— To be in desperate financial straits (often used for kakei).

家計は火の車だ。

Idiomatic

"首が回らない"

— To be up to one's neck in debt/financial trouble.

借金で家計の首が回らない。

Idiomatic

"爪に火をともす"

— To live very frugally to save every penny.

爪に火をともすようにして家計を支える。

Literary

"右から左へ"

— Money going out as soon as it comes in.

給料が家計の右から左へ消えていく。

Colloquial

"どんぶり勘定"

— Rough or haphazard financial management.

家計がどんぶり勘定では貯金できない。

Colloquial

"懐が痛む"

— To feel the pain of an expense.

この出費は家計の懐が痛む。

Common

"すずめの涙"

— A tiny, insignificant amount (of money).

ボーナスがすずめの涙ほどで、家計の助けにならない。

Common

"あごを出す"

— To be exhausted (financially or physically) from trying to keep up.

家計のやりくりにあごを出す。

Old-fashioned

"身を削る"

— To sacrifice oneself (often to support the kakei).

身を削って家計を支える。

Dramatic

Easily Confused

家計 vs 家計簿 (Kakeibo)

They both start with 'Kakei'.

Kakei is the money/finances; Kakeibo is the physical book or ledger used to track it.

家計を管理するために、家計簿をつける。

家計 vs 家庭 (Katei)

Both refer to the home/family.

Katei is 'family' or 'household' as a social unit; Kakei is specifically the financial aspect of that unit.

幸せな家庭を築くには、家計の安定が必要だ。

家計 vs 会計 (Kaikei)

Similar sounds and both involve money.

Kaikei is 'accounting' or 'the bill' at a restaurant. Kakei is only for home finances.

レストランで会計を済ませる。

家計 vs 生活 (Seikatsu)

Both relate to daily living.

Seikatsu is 'lifestyle' or 'life' in general; Kakei is the money that supports it.

家計が苦しいと、生活も大変になる。

家計 vs 財布 (Saifu)

Both involve holding money.

Saifu is a physical wallet or a metaphor for available cash. Kakei is the system of all finances.

家計の財布を握る。

Sentence Patterns

[Noun]は家計にいいです。

この店は家計にいいです。

家計をやりくりするために[Verb]。

家計をやりくりするために、節約します。

[Noun]が家計を圧迫している。

電気代が家計を圧迫している。

家計の足しにするために[Action]。

家計の足しにするために、パートで働く。

家計の見直しを図る。

新年に家計の見直しを図る。

家計の[Noun]が低下/上昇する。

家計の貯蓄率が低下している。

家計に占める[Item]の割合。

家計に占める教育費の割合を計算する。

家計の脆弱性を露呈する。

不況が家計の脆弱性を露呈させた。

Word Family

Nouns

家計簿 (Kakeibo) - Household account book

家計費 (Kakei-hi) - Household expenses

家計学 (Kakeigaku) - Home economics

家計調査 (Kakeichosa) - Household survey

Verbs

家計を支える (Kakei o sasaeru) - To support the household finances

家計を管理する (Kakei o kanri suru) - To manage the household budget

家 (House)

計算 (Calculation)

予算 (Budget)

経理 (Accounting)

財政 (Finance)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both daily conversation and media.

Common Mistakes

Using Kakei for a project budget. → 予算 (Yosan)
Kakei is only for family/domestic finances. For a specific project or trip, use 'Yosan.'
Saying 'Kakei o kaku' (Write the budget). → 家計簿をつける (Kakeibo o tsukeru)
You write in a 'Kakeibo' (book), but you 'manage' or 'support' the 'Kakei' (finances).
Using Kakei to mean family tree. → 家系 (Kakei - different kanji)
While they sound the same, 家計 is finances and 家系 is lineage. Be careful with kanji!
Confusing Kakei with Kaikei. → 会計 (Kaikei - accounting/bill)
If you want the bill at a restaurant, ask for 'Kaikei,' not 'Kakei.'
Using Kakei for a single person's pocket money. → お小遣い (Okozukai) or 生活費 (Seikatsu-hi)
Kakei implies a household system. For just personal spending, 'Okozukai' or 'Seikatsu-hi' is better.

Tips

The House Calculator

Visualize a house (家) and a calculator (計). 'Kakei' is the math you do inside your house.

The Power of Kakeibo

Japanese culture values the meticulous tracking of 'Kakei.' Using a 'Kakeibo' is seen as a sign of a responsible adult.

The 'Sasaeru' Rule

To say you support the family, always use '家計を支える.' It's the most natural way to express providing for your family.

Don't confuse with Katei

Katei is the family unit; Kakei is the family money. You live in a Katei, you manage a Kakei.

News Keywords

When you hear 'Kakei' on the news, listen for '物価' (prices) or '増税' (tax hike) nearby.

Polite Management

Using 'Kakei' makes you sound like you are taking your adult responsibilities seriously.

Kanji Precision

Make sure to write '計' with the 'words' radical (言) on the left. It's about 'speaking' the numbers of the house.

Kakei-ni-yasashii

Look for this phrase in supermarkets. It means the products are affordable for a family budget.

Yarikuri

Use 'Kakei o yarikuri suru' when you want to sound like you are a clever and hardworking manager of money.

Not for Business

Never use 'Kakei' in a business meeting to describe the company's funds. Use 'Yosan' or 'Zaimu' instead.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ka' (House) and 'Kei' (Calculation). It's 'House Calculation.'

Visual Association

Imagine a house with a giant calculator on the roof.

Word Web

家 (House) 計 (Plan) お金 (Money) 節約 (Saving) 管理 (Management) 収入 (Income) 支出 (Spending) 家族 (Family)

Challenge

Try to write down your 'Kakei' (spending) for one day in Japanese using the word '家計簿'.

Word Origin

Borrowed from Middle Chinese roots. '家' (ka) refers to the family unit, and '計' (kei) refers to counting or planning.

Original meaning: The planning and totaling of a household's resources.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'who' manages the kakei, as gender roles are evolving in modern Japan.

In English, we often say 'finances' or 'budget,' but 'kakei' feels more specifically tied to the family unit than 'finances.'

Hani Motoko's Kakeibo (The original budget book) Zeni-geba (A manga about money obsession) Government 'Kakei Chosa' reports.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Dinner Table

家計について相談がある。
今月の家計、大丈夫？
家計のために外食を減らそう。
家計簿、もう書いた？

At the Bank

家計の相談をしたいのですが。
家計の見直しに役立つプランはありますか？
家計の口座を分けたいです。
家計の資産状況を確認する。

Reading News

家計への影響が懸念される。
家計の消費支出が落ち込んでいる。
政府が家計を支援する。
家計の貯蓄率が低下した。

Financial Planning

家計のキャッシュフローを改善する。
家計のリスクを分散させる。
家計の将来設計を立てる。
家計のバランスを整える。

Gossip with Neighbors

あそこの家計は大変らしいわよ。
家計のやりくりが上手なのね。
家計を助けるために働き始めたの。
家計が苦しくて旅行に行けない。

Conversation Starters

"最近の物価高、家計に響いていませんか？ (Hasn't the recent price hike affected your household budget?)"

"家計の管理はどうされていますか？アプリですか、それともノートですか？ (How do you manage your household budget? Apps or notebooks?)"

"家計を節約するために、何か工夫していることはありますか？ (Is there anything you're doing to save on the household budget?)"

"日本では妻が家計を握ることが多いですが、あなたの国ではどうですか？ (In Japan, wives often control the household budget, but how about in your country?)"

"家計の足しにするために、副業を考えたことはありますか？ (Have you ever thought about a side job to supplement the household budget?)"

Journal Prompts

今月の家計の状況を振り返って、何に一番お金を使ったか書いてみましょう。 (Reflect on this month's household budget and write about what you spent the most on.)

理想的な家計管理とはどのようなものか、自分の考えを述べてください。 (Describe your thoughts on what ideal household budget management looks like.)

もし家計に10万円の余裕ができたら、何に使いたいですか？ (If you had an extra 100,000 yen in your household budget, what would you want to use it for?)

子供の頃、親の家計管理についてどのように感じていましたか？ (How did you feel about your parents' household budget management when you were a child?)

将来の家計を安定させるために、今できることは何ですか？ (What can you do now to stabilize your future household finances?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'Kakei' can refer to any household unit, including couples or even a single person living alone, although it sounds more 'official' for a single person.

Generally, no. Businesses use 'Keiri' (accounting) or 'Zaimu' (finance). 'Kakei' is strictly for the domestic sphere.

A 'Kakeibo' is a household account book. It's a traditional Japanese tool for tracking income and expenses to manage the 'Kakei' effectively.

You can say '家計が苦しい' (Kakei ga kurushii) or '家計が厳しい' (Kakei ga kibishii).

It is a standard word used in news and formal discussions, but it's also common in everyday family conversations.

No, for personal spending money, use 'Okozukai' or 'Saifu'.

It's the official Household Survey conducted by the Japanese government to track economic trends.

You can use '家計を節約する' (save on the household budget) or '家計を切り詰める' (tighten the budget).

Actually, yes, there is another 'Kakei' (家系) written with different kanji that means family tree or lineage. Be careful with the kanji!

Yes, many budgeting apps in Japan use 'Kakei' in their titles or as a category name.