Narikin (New Rich)

Apr 12, 2017 09:37
Today I will talk about the word "narikin."

"Narikin" means a person who became rich in a short period, and it corresponds to the term "new rich" in English.

This word comes from a kind of board games, "shogi," which is similar to chess.

In shogi, when pieces except the king (ohsho) and gold generals (kinsho) enter the enemy territory, they can change their characters (this act is called "naru" in Japanese).

In particular, if the ranks of these pieces are lower than gold generals, they can change to new pieces that are equivalent to the gold general (kinsho).

From this rule, a person who suddenly became rich came to be called "narikin" (change to a gold general).
成金

今日は「成金」という単語を紹介します。

「成金」とは、短期間でお金持ちになった人のことを意味し、英語の "new rich" という言葉に相当します。

「成金」という言葉は、ボードゲームの一つである将棋に由来します。

将棋では、王将・金将以外の駒が敵陣に入ったとき、成ることができます。

特に、金将よりもランクの低い駒が成ると、金将と同じ動きになります。

これが転じて、急に裕福になった人のことを「成金」と呼ぶようになりました。
No. 1　mikage893's correction
  • Today I will talk about the word "narikin."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • "Narikin" means a person who became rich in a short period, and it corresponds to the term "new rich" in English.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • This word comes from a kind of board games, "shogi," which is similar to chess.
  • This word comes from a kind of board games, "shogi," which is similar to chess.
  • In shogi, when pieces except the king (ohsho) and gold generals (kinsho) enter the enemy territory, they can change their characters (this act is called "naru" in Japanese).
  • In shogi, when pieces except the king (ohsho) and gold generals (kinsho) enter the enemy territory, they can change their characters (this act is called "naru" in Japanese).
  • In particular, if the ranks of these pieces are lower than gold generals, they can change to new pieces that are equivalent to the gold general (kinsho).
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • From this rule, a person who suddenly became rich came to be called "narikin" (change to a gold general).
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post! :)
No. 2　Ben's correction
  • "Narikin" means a person who became rich in a short period, and it corresponds to the term "new rich" in English.
  • "Narikin" means a person who became rich within a short period, and it corresponds to the term "new rich" in English.
  • This word comes from a kind of board games, "shogi," which is similar to chess.
  • It comes from a kind of board game, "shogi," which is similar to chess.
  • In shogi, when pieces except the king (ohsho) and gold generals (kinsho) enter the enemy territory, they can change their characters (this act is called "naru" in Japanese).
  • In shogi, when pieces other than the king (ohsho) and gold generals (kinsho) enter the enemy's territory, they can get promoted (this act is called "naru" in Japanese).
  • In particular, if the ranks of these pieces are lower than gold generals, they can change to new pieces that are equivalent to the gold general (kinsho).
  • In particular, Pieces that are lower in rank than a gold general can change into new pieces that are equivalent in rank to the gold generals (kinsho).
    　It might sound even better if you combine this sentence with the last one with a colon.
    eg. "In shogi, when pieces... get promoted: pieces that are lower in rank... etc."
  • From this rule, a person who suddenly became rich came to be called "narikin" (change to a gold general).
  • It is from this rule that a person who suddenly becomes rich came to be called "narikin" (which means "change into a gold general").
    　Here's a more natural way of expressing the same idea: "The term "narikin," which describes someone who suddenly becomes rich, is derived from that rule.
That's really interesting, thank you for sharing! Is "narikin" ever used as an insult? Apparently "nouveau riche," which is the English equivalent, is a derogatory term.
Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post! :)
Yes, in most cases, "narikin" is used as an insult in Japan.
However, I heard that actually it was used as a word of praise until around WW2.
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