金がきたらWhen the Money Comes

About this story

A playful poem about what to buy when money arrives, ending with a cycle of borrowing and spending.

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Source

This text comes from Aozora Bunko (青空文庫), the volunteer-run library of Japanese writing that is out of copyright. See this work on Aozora Bunko

Base edition (底本): 「竹内浩三全作品集　日本が見えない　全1巻」藤原書店
2001（平成13）年11月30日初版第1刷発行
2002（平成14）年8月30日初版第5刷発行

Typed in by 坂本真一. Proofread by 雪森.

Yomimaru has not changed the spelling or the wording.

The furigana are Yomimaru's.

What you'll learn

The speaker lists items they want to buy when they get money, but then acknowledges they must pay debts, leading to a cycle of borrowing and spending.

Key vocabulary

ゲタ	geta (traditional wooden clogs)
花はなビン	vase
ヤカン	kettle
パス	pass (e.g., bus pass)
借金しゃっきん	debt
天下てんかのまわりもん	proverb: money goes around the world

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～おう (volitional) N4Volitional form expressing intention to do something.

  金きむがきたら ゲタを買かおう

• ～てはいられない N3Cannot afford to do; cannot keep doing.

  そう人ひとのゲタばかり　かりてはいられまい

• ～わけにはいかない N3Cannot bring oneself to; cannot (due to social obligation).

  すこし高たかいが 買かわぬわけにもいくまい

• ～か (question particle in casual speech) N5Question particle used to form yes/no questions.

  いつ踏ふんで わってしまうかわらかない

Cultural notes

• Geta (Traditional Footwear)Geta are traditional Japanese wooden clogs worn with casual attire, often associated with older styles or festivals. Mentioning them here adds a nostalgic or traditional flavor.
• Money Goes Around (金は天下のまわりもん)A Japanese proverb meaning that money circulates and is not meant to be hoarded. It reflects a carefree attitude toward spending and earning.

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