銅貨(どうか)

銅貨(どうか) refers to coins made primarily of copper or bronze. In modern Japan, the 10円(えん)玉(だま) is the most familiar copper coin.

Coin types by material

• 金貨(きんか): gold coin
• 銀貨(ぎんか): silver coin
• 銅貨(どうか): copper coin
• 硬貨(こうか): coin (general term for all coins)

Usage

Also appears in historical contexts, as copper coins were widely used in pre-modern Japan and China. 古銭(こせん) (old coins) collecting often involves 銅貨(どうか).

Watch out

Same pronunciation as どうか (please; somehow), but the kanji makes the meaning clear in writing.