How to say "currency" in Japanese

• 通貨つうかJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe default word for currency as an abstract system of money, such as the yen or the dollar. Typical in economics, finance, and news: exchange rates, currency markets, and government monetary policy.
  欧州おうしゅう通貨つうかはドルに対たいして弱よわくなった。↗

  European currencies weakened against the dollar.
• 貨幣かへいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounMoney viewed as physical objects, especially coins, and by extension currency in general. It leans toward the tangible side of money—coins changing hands—more than the abstract monetary system.
  この代用だいよう貨幣かへいでは、会社かいしゃの直営店ちょくえいてんに行いき、その店みせで食料品しょくりょうひんや衣料いりょうを買かうことしかできませんでした。↗

  With the token they could only go to the company shop and buy food or clothing from that shop.
• カレンシーCommon
  nounA loanword meaning currency, used mainly in financial, business, and trade contexts such as currency swaps or risk. It covers the same sense as 通貨 but sounds more technical or trendy.
• 現金げんきんJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCash: actual money on hand, as opposed to credit or cards. Although one gloss is 'currency', this is not the usual word for a country's currency; it means ready money you can pay with immediately.
  現金げんきんで払はらう必要ひつようはありません。↗

  You don't have to pay in cash.
• 通用つうようJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCirculation or currency in the sense of a currency being used or accepted: whether a coin or banknote passes in transactions. Also used for the currency of words and ideas. Not a word for currency itself.

Use 通貨 for currency as a system (yen, dollar), 貨幣 for coins and money as objects, 現金 for cash on hand, 通用 for circulation or acceptance, and 「カレンシー」 mainly in financial and business contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 通貨つうかcurrency
• 貨幣かへいmoney
• カレンシーcurrency
• 現金げんきんcash
• 通用つうよう(common) use (of a language, currency, etc.)
• 幣制へいせいmonetary system
• 盛行せいこうfrequency
• 最新性さいしんせいup-to-dateness