敷金（しききん、shikiきn）
- security deposit

The Japanese word 敷金 （しききん） refers to a security deposit paid by a tenant to a landlord at the beginning of a rental agreement. Its primary purpose is to cover potential damages to the property or unpaid rent at the end of the tenancy. It acts as a safety net for the landlord. The amount of 敷金 is usually a multiple of the monthly rent.

⚫︎敷金は家賃の2ヶ月分です。 Translation: The security deposit is equivalent to two months' rent. ⚫︎退去時に、敷金から修繕費が差し引かれます。 Translation: Repair costs are deducted from the security deposit upon move-out.

You use 敷金 when discussing rental agreements in Japan. It is essential vocabulary when talking about renting an apartment or house. It is used in situations such as: ⚫︎ When signing a lease. ⚫︎ When discussing the initial costs of renting. ⚫︎ When discussing potential deductions from the deposit at the end of the lease.

敷金 is written in kanji as 敷金. The reading is （しききん） in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is standard and does not have variations.

There are no direct synonyms for 敷金 in the same context, as it's a specific term for security deposit. However, related terms could include: ⚫︎ 保証金 （ほしょうきん） - security deposit (can be used interchangeably with 敷金 in some areas or situations, but not always)

There aren't direct antonyms for 敷金. However, the concept is the opposite of a situation where no deposit is required, or where the landlord has to pay the tenant.

新しいアパートを借りるには、敷金が必要ですか？ ・Translation: Do I need a security deposit to rent a new apartment? ・Explanation: This sentence asks about the requirement of paying a 敷金 when renting an apartment.

退去時に、家賃の未払いがなければ、敷金は全額返金されます。 ・Translation: The full security deposit will be refunded if there is no unpaid rent upon move-out. ・Explanation: This explains the condition under which the tenant will get a full refund of their 敷金.

The word 敷金 is derived from the following: 敷 meaning "to lay, to spread, to put down," and 金 meaning "money" or "cash." Together, 敷金 means the money laid down or put down, which indicates the initial payment paid to the landlord.