債務|さいむsaimu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noundebt; liabilities; obligation to a person or party (usu. legal or contractual)
   アメリカの対外たいがい債務さいむは５０００億ごれいれいれいおくドルを突破とっぱしましたよ。↗

   America's foreign debt shot past $500 billion.

• Synonym負債ふさいWrittenWritten word for money or goods borrowed that must be repaid; in accounting also total liabilities, as in 「負債総額」. 「債務」 broadly means a legal duty to perform.
• Synonym借金しゃっきんNeutralThe everyday word for borrowing money and money owed, for individuals and companies alike. 「債務」 sounds legal and formal.
• Synonym借りかりNeutralWhat you owe—money, things, or a favor—e.g. 「借りを返す」. Common in everyday speech.
• Synonym借財しゃくざいWrittenWritten word for borrowed money or debts; formal in tone and not often used.
• Related負い目おいめNeutralMostly the psychological sense of owing someone—feeling indebted, as in 「負い目を感じる」; it can also mean a debt. 「債務」 is a legal obligation.
• Antonym債権さいけんWrittenThe opposite of 「債務」: the creditor's right to demand performance, as in 「債権者」.

Use 「債務」 for obligations owed to others under law or contract, as in 「債務超過」「債務者」—not limited to repaying money. For liabilities say 「負債」; for money owed in daily life 「借金」; for favors owed 「借り」; for feeling indebted 「負い目」. The opposite is 「債権」.

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

1. 契約けいやく等とう法令ほうれい上じょうの原因げんいんに基もとづき、ある人ひとが他ほかの特定とくていの人ひとに対たいして一定いっていの行為こうい、給付きゅうふを求もとめた場合ばあいに、それをなすべき義務ぎむ。