手形(てがた)

てがた
noun
promissory note; bill of exchange; handprint
1. promissory note, bill of exchange, draft
A written promise to pay a specified sum of money at a future date, used in business transactions.
手形(てがた)で支払(しはら)う。
To pay by promissory note.
手形(てがた)が不渡(ふわた)りになった。
The promissory note was dishonored.
不渡(ふわた)り = dishonored check/note
取引先(とりひきさき)から手形(てがた)を受(う)け取(と)った。
I received a promissory note from a business partner.
2. handprint, hand impression
An impression or print made by a hand, often used for commemorative purposes or as souvenirs.
力士(りきし)の手形(てがた)をもらった。
I got a sumo wrestler's handprint.

FINANCIAL TERM (sense 1):
手形(てがた) is a negotiable instrument common in Japanese business, promising payment at a future date.

TYPES OF NOTES:

  • 約束(やくそく)手形(てがた): Promissory note
  • 為替(かわせ)手形(てがた): Bill of exchange

KEY EXPRESSIONS:

  • 手形(てがた)を振(ふ)り出(だ)す: to issue a note
  • 手形(てがた)を割(わ)り引(び)く: to discount a note
  • 手形(てがた)が落(お)ちる: note is honored (paid)
  • 不渡(ふわた)り手形(てがた): Dishonored note

BUSINESS IMPORTANCE:
Two 不渡(ふわた)り (dishonored notes) within 6 months leads to 銀行(ぎんこう)取引(とりひき)停止(ていし) (bank transaction suspension), effectively meaning bankruptcy.

HANDPRINT (sense 2):

手形(てがた) also means a handprint, commonly seen as:

  • 力士(りきし)の手形(てがた): Sumo wrestler handprints (popular souvenirs)
  • 赤(あか)ちゃんの手形(てがた): Baby handprints (keepsakes)

RELATED TERMS:

  • 小切手(こぎって): Check
  • 現金(げんきん): Cash
  • 振込(ふりこみ): Bank transfer

Related Words

Related: 小切手(こぎって)
general
Added 2026.1.17 17:53 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06304_tegata