The etymology of 頭{あたま}金{きん}


頭金 means "initial deposit". The meaning of first Kanji is "head", the second -
"money, gold". How to understand them both - etymology? "Head" + "money" seems
not related.




(It is also referred to as "down payment" in US English.)

I believe it is because 頭金 is the **first** deposit of **money** to get a
loan.

In Japanese, 頭 can be used to refer to the head or start of something.

For example,

先頭{せんとう} → head of a line or a list

頭{かしら}文字{もじ} → First letter of a word

月{つき}の頭{あたま} → First part of a month

At least this is how I understand it..but I'm starting to wonder if there is a
historical reason/practice for why it is called 頭金..I did a quick search and
couldn't find anything online.




(It is also referred to as "down payment" in US English.)

I believe it is because 頭金 is the **first** deposit of **money** to get a
loan.

In Japanese, 頭 can be used to refer to the head or start of something.

For example,

先頭{せんとう} → head of a line or a list

頭{かしら}文字{もじ} → First letter of a word

月{つき}の頭{あたま} → First part of a month

At least this is how I understand it..but I'm starting to wonder if there is a
historical reason/practice for why it is called 頭金..I did a quick search and
couldn't find anything online.

