1.
small token of gratitude; gratuity; small gift of money
A humble term for a small gift — typically a modest sum of cash in a special envelope — given as a token of gratitude, appreciation, or good wishes. Used when the giver wants to downplay the value of what they are offering.
寸志をお渡しした。
I gave a small gift of money.
封筒に「寸志」と書いて渡した。
I wrote "a small token" on the envelope and handed it over.
お世話になった先生に寸志として商品券をお贈りした。
I gave a gift voucher as a small token of thanks to the teacher who helped me.
歓送迎会で上司から寸志が集まった。
At the welcome-and-farewell party, a small monetary contribution was collected from the superiors.
A humble word composed of 寸 (a small unit of length; "a bit") + 志 (intention, will, feeling). Literally "a tiny bit of feeling," it is used by the giver to modestly describe their own gift — never by the recipient to describe what they received. Most often refers to a small amount of cash, though it can also refer to a small object like a voucher or box of sweets.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 寸志を贈る: to give a small token
- 寸志をお渡しする: to present a small token (humble)
- 寸志として: as a small token
- 「寸志」と書く: to write "a small token" (on an envelope)
- 御寸志: honorific form, used on an envelope
SIMILAR WORDS:
- お心付け: tip, gratuity — often given directly for services, e.g., to staff at a ryokan
- お礼: expression of thanks; a thank-you gift — broader; includes both gifts and words of thanks
- 御祝儀: celebratory gift money — used for weddings, promotions, and festive occasions
- 薄謝: modest honorarium — similar humble self-descriptive term, more formal
USAGE:
寸志 is the standard word written on the envelope when senior employees or supervisors contribute money to an event (such as a party or travel fund) where their contribution is voluntary and separate from the main collection. It is never used by the receiver to describe what they were given, as doing so would sound ungrateful or rude.