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日本語
赤字 — meaning in English: deficit
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deficit
ライター
raitā
サーバント
sābanto
赤字
akaji
メカニズム
mekanizumu
保護
hogo
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formal
common
Usage
Native speakers use the word 赤字 (akaji) primarily in financial discussions, especially when referring to company budgets or national economies. For instance, during a business meeting, someone might say, 'We need to address our 赤字 this quarter,' to indicate a need for financial reform or cost-cutting measures.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym for 赤字 is '損失' (sonshitsu), which means 'loss.' However, 赤字 specifically implies an ongoing or recurring deficit, often used in corporate or governmental contexts, while 損失 can refer to any loss, including one-time events. You would choose 赤字 when discussing ongoing financial imbalances.
Culture
The term 赤字 is composed of two kanji characters: '赤' (aka), meaning 'red,' and '字' (ji), meaning 'character' or 'letter.' In Japanese culture, red ink traditionally signifies a loss, stemming from the historical practice of using red ink to denote debts in financial documents. This cultural tie makes the word a vivid representation of financial struggles.
FAQ
