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How to Say ‘I don't have much cash.’ in Japanese

現金があまりないんです。

genkin ga amari nai n desu

[gen-keen ga ah-mah-ree nai n dess]

Phrase Breakdown

現金が

genkin ga

cash

現金 means 'cash', and が marks the subject. Say it as 'genkin ga'.

Example

現金が必要です。

Cash is needed.

Words in this phrase

現金

genkin

[gen-keen]

cash

Physical money like bills and coins.

Example

現金で払います。

I will pay in cash.

が

[ga]

subject marker

A particle marking the subject of the sentence.

Example

興味がある分野を教えてください。

Please tell me the field you are interested in.

あまりないんです。

amari nai n desu

I don't have much

あまり plus ない means 'not much', and んです gives an explanation. Say it as 'amari nain desu'.

Example

お金があまりないんです。

I don't have much money.

Words in this phrase

あまり

amari

[ah-mah-ree]

too much; not very

With a negative form, あまり often means 'too much' in worried questions like this.

Example

あまり無理していませんかと聞かれました。

I was asked, 'Aren't you overdoing it?'

ない

nai

[nai]

not; does not

Negative ending; with いか it forms 'doesn't go well.'

Example

仕事がうまくいかないです。

Work isn't going well.

ん

[n]

explanatory tone

ん adds an explanatory or noticing tone, like “so...” or “I see...”

Example

そう言うんですね。

So that’s how you say it, huh.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

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