賽銭(さいせん)

さいせん
noun
monetary offering; offering money
1. monetary offering at a shrine or temple
Money offered to deities or Buddha at shrines and temples. Visitors toss coins into the offering box as part of worship.
賽銭箱(さいせんばこ)にお金(かね)を入(い)れて手(て)を合(あ)わせた。
I put money in the offering box and put my hands together in prayer.
賽銭(さいせん)には五円玉(ごえんだま)を使(つか)う人(ひと)が多(おお)い。
Many people use five-yen coins for offerings.
初詣(はつもうで)の時(とき)は賽銭(さいせん)の列(れつ)ができる。
During New Year's shrine visits, lines form to make offerings.

WORSHIP PROCEDURE:
1. Approach the 賽銭箱(さいせんばこ) (offering box)
2. Toss in your offering
3. Ring the bell (if present)
4. Bow twice, clap twice, bow once (at Shinto shrines)
5. Make your prayer

POPULAR COINS:

  • 五円(ごえん) (5 yen): Popular because 五円(ごえん) sounds like ご縁(ごえん) (good fortune/connection)
  • Any amount is acceptable

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 賽銭箱(さいせんばこ): offering box
  • 賽銭泥棒(さいせんどろぼう): offering box thief

NOTE:
The amount offered is less important than the sincerity of the prayer.

Related Words

Related: 初詣(はつもうで) (first shrine visit)
general
Added 2026.1.17 2:26 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
05500/05958_saisen