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火の車

ひのくるま

dire financial straits

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 家計は火の車だ。

    かけいはひのくるまだ。

    Our household finances are in dire straits.

  2. うちは火の車で余裕がない。

    うちはひのくるまでよゆうがない。

    We are strapped for cash and have nothing to spare.

  3. 売上が落ち込み、会社の台所は火の車だった。

    うりあげがおちこみ、かいしゃのだいどころはひのくるまだった。

    Sales slumped and the company's finances were desperate.

  4. 見た目は派手だが、内情は火の車らしい。

    みためははではだが、ないじょうはひのくるまらしい。

    They look flashy, but behind the scenes they are apparently broke.

Common patterns

家計が火の車
household finances in dire straits
台所は火の車
the books are in a desperate state
火の車の状態
a state of financial desperation

Memory tip

It comes from the burning cart that carries sinners to hell in Buddhist imagery, matching the torment of debt. It is strictly about money, and usually about a household or company budget.

Kanji in this word

Quick check

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What does 火の車 mean?