1.
sloppy accounting; rough estimate of expenses; loose money management
A careless, rough approach to managing finances without keeping detailed records. Implies not knowing exactly how much money is coming in or going out.
どんぶり勘定はやめよう。
Let's stop with the sloppy accounting.
Because my household finances are loosely managed, I always run short on money.
The word どんぶり here refers to the large apron pocket (どんぶり) that merchants historically used to hold coins without sorting them — money went in and out of the pocket without precise counting.
Etymology
From the 丼 (large bowl) shape of the deep front pocket on a merchant's apron (前掛け). Merchants would toss coins into this pocket without counting carefully, leading to the figurative meaning of careless money management.
Common collocations
- どんぶり勘定で経営する: to run a business with sloppy accounting
- どんぶり勘定をやめる: to stop being careless with money
- どんぶり勘定な人: a person who is loose with money
Similar words
- 大雑把: rough, approximate — a broader term for being imprecise, not limited to money
- ずさん: sloppy, careless — implies negligence, often used for poor management in general
Usage
Almost always used with a negative connotation, implying that one should be more careful with money. Common in advice about household budgeting and business management.
Related Words
Compare:
大雑把 (rough, approximate)