成金(なりきん)

なりきん
noun
nouveau riche, upstart
societyculture
1. nouveau riche, new rich, upstart
A person who has recently become wealthy but is perceived as lacking refinement or class. Often used with a negative or dismissive connotation.
成金(なりきん)趣味(しゅみ)のインテリア。
Interior decor with nouveau riche taste.
戦後(せんご)の成金(なりきん)たちが豪邸(ごうてい)を建(た)てた。
The postwar nouveau riche built mansions.
金(かね)はあるが品(ひん)がない成金(なりきん)だと陰口(かげぐち)を叩(たた)かれている。
People talk behind his back, saying he's a nouveau riche with money but no class.
2. promoted piece (in shogi)
In shogi (Japanese chess), a piece that has been promoted after entering the opponent's territory.
歩(ふ)が成金(なりきん)になった。
The pawn was promoted.
将棋(しょうぎ)では、駒(こま)が相手(あいて)の陣地(じんち)に入(はい)ると成金(なりきん)にできる。
In shogi, when a piece enters the opponent's territory it can be promoted.
成金(なりきん)という言葉(ことば)は将棋(しょうぎ)から来(き)ている。
The word narikin comes from shogi.

A person who suddenly becomes wealthy, typically implying ostentation and lack of refinement. Almost always carries negative connotations.

Etymology

From 将棋(しょうぎ) (Japanese chess), where a 歩(ふ) (pawn) gets promoted to function as a 金(きん) (金将(きんしょう), gold general) — metaphorically, a commoner suddenly gaining great wealth and power.

Usage

Implies flashy, tasteless spending and a lack of the sophistication expected of old wealth. Similar in tone to English "nouveau riche" or "new money." The word is pejorative.

Common patterns

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 金持(かねも)ち (rich person (neutral))
Compare: 大金持(おおがねも)ち (very wealthy person)
Compare: 富豪(ふごう) (wealthy person, tycoon)
Synonym: お金持(かねも)ち (rich person, wealthy person)
general
Added 2026.3.14 13:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
16500/16724_narikin