How to say "open an account" and "deposit money" in Japanese
The most natural Japanese phrases are 預金口座を作る for “open an account” and お金を預け入れる for “deposit money.” In everyday banking, both expressions are understandable and useful, but Japanese speakers often use slightly more specific wording depending on whether the account is a bank account, a savings account, or a transfer into an existing account.
Open an account
The phrase 預金口座を作る means “to open a deposit account” and is a direct, practical way to say “open an account” in a banking context. The key word is 預金口座 (yokin kōza), which refers to a deposit account rather than just any kind of account.
In a bank, the process may also be described with phrases such as 口座を開設する (kōza o kaisetsu suru), which is more formal and literally means “to establish/open an account.” This is a common expression on bank websites, forms, and official notices. In conversation, 口座を作る feels simpler and more natural.
If the context is clearly a bank, all of these can work:
- 預金口座を作る — open a deposit account
- 口座を開設する — open an account, formal
- 銀行口座を作る — open a bank account
Example:
- 預金口座を作りたいです。
“I want to open an account.”
A slightly more polite version is:
- 口座を開設したいです。
“I would like to open an account.”
Deposit money
The phrase お金を預け入れる means “to deposit money.” It is precise and formal enough for banking situations, especially when referring to putting cash into an account.
In everyday conversation, Japanese speakers also often use simpler phrases depending on the exact action:
- お金を入れる — put money in
- 現金を入金する — deposit cash
- 口座に入金する — deposit into an account
Among these, 入金する is extremely common in banking and financial contexts. It is shorter than 預け入れる and often appears in ATMs, receipts, and account information. If the money is being placed into a bank account, 口座に入金する is a very natural choice.
Examples:
- お金を預け入れたいです。
“I want to deposit money.” - 口座に入金したいです。
“I want to deposit money into the account.”
What sounds most natural in real life
For many everyday situations, the most practical pair is:
- 口座を開設する / 口座を作る for opening an account
- 口座に入金する for depositing money
This is because Japanese commonly prefers the noun 口座 (“account”) and the verb 開設する (“to establish/open formally”) in financial settings. 預金口座を作る and お金を預け入れる are correct, but they can sound a little more textbook-like than the shorter bank vocabulary people actually see on forms and ATMs.
A useful distinction is:
- 作る = make/open in a simple, conversational way
- 開設する = open officially, formally
- 入金する = deposit money into an account
- 預け入れる = deposit money, slightly more formal
Common mistakes
One common mistake is using 預金 by itself when the account type matters. 預金 means “deposit” or “savings/deposit funds,” but 預金口座 is the full phrase for a deposit account.
Another mistake is using 入れる too generally. While お金を入れる is understandable, it can sound vague because it does not always specify a bank deposit. In a bank context, 入金する or 預け入れる is clearer.
A third point is politeness. In a bank, 〜たいです is acceptable for expressing what someone wants to do, but forms often use more formal language such as 口座開設 and 入金. The noun forms are especially common in written Japanese.
Useful bank-related phrases
These phrases often appear alongside the ones above:
- 通帳 (tsūchō) — bankbook
- キャッシュカード (kyasshu kādo) — cash card / debit-style ATM card
- ATM — automated teller machine
- 振り込み (furikomi) — bank transfer
- 現金 (genkin) — cash
A typical bank conversation may sound like this:
- 口座を開設したいです。
“I’d like to open an account.” - 現金を入金したいです。
“I’d like to deposit cash.” - この口座に入金できますか。
“Can I deposit money into this account?”
Quick reference
- Open an account: 預金口座を作る / 口座を開設する
- Deposit money: お金を預け入れる / 口座に入金する
If only one phrase is needed for each, 口座を開設する and 口座に入金する are the most broadly useful in modern Japanese banking.