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.
成金趣味のインテリア。
Interior decor with nouveau riche taste.
戦後の成金たちが豪邸を建てた。
The postwar nouveau riche built mansions.
金はあるが品がない成金だと陰口を叩かれている。
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.
歩が成金になった。
The pawn was promoted.
将棋では、駒が相手の陣地に入ると成金にできる。
In shogi, when a piece enters the opponent's territory it can be promoted.
成金という言葉は将棋から来ている。
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 (Japanese chess), where a 歩 (pawn) gets promoted to function as a 金 (金将, gold general) — metaphorically, a commoner suddenly gaining great wealth and power.
NUANCE:
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:
- 成金趣味: nouveau riche taste (gaudy)
- 戦争成金: war profiteer
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 金持ち: rich person (neutral)
- 大金持ち: very wealthy person (neutral)
- 富豪: wealthy person, tycoon (formal, neutral)