Money exchange (currency exchange)

Japanese translation: 外国為替

16:02 Jun 20, 2017
English to Japanese translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Finance (general)
English term or phrase: Money exchange (currency exchange)
Hello everyone,

I am trying to validate the Japanese translation for "money exchange" (as in "foreign currency exchange"). I have received two alternatives from different people and would like to verify which is the most appropriate in this context. The term appears on a sign in a bank, as the bank offers this service. Here are the two alternatives I am considering:

両替

為替

I do not speak Japanese, so I would appreciate it if you could respond in English, please.

Thank you!
Kate Brunk
Peru
Local time: 03:48
Japanese translation:外国為替
Explanation:
I had never given much thought about the difference, but 両替 is used when referring to "actually" converting money into another currency like one may do at a money exchanger while 為替 is more a concept of exchanging foreign currency. So, for exchange rate, you use the latter; the bank quotes their exchange (為替)rate but they don't exchange (両替)money unless you ask them to. In other words, you exchange money(here you actually convert money, hence 両替)using the exchange (為替) rate .

Since the term is used for a signage that indicates the services the bank offers, 外国為替 (foreign exchange ) may be better, because this is more wide-encompassing than just 両替. (It "implies" that they do telegraphic transfer instead of just exchanging cash at the counter, and most likely they also offer foreign currency accounts.)
Selected response from:

Port City
New Zealand
Grading comment
This is a great explanation. Thanks very much!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +6外国為替
Port City
4外貨両替
Reiko Ando


  

Answers


7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +6
money exchange (currency exchange)
外国為替


Explanation:
I had never given much thought about the difference, but 両替 is used when referring to "actually" converting money into another currency like one may do at a money exchanger while 為替 is more a concept of exchanging foreign currency. So, for exchange rate, you use the latter; the bank quotes their exchange (為替)rate but they don't exchange (両替)money unless you ask them to. In other words, you exchange money(here you actually convert money, hence 両替)using the exchange (為替) rate .

Since the term is used for a signage that indicates the services the bank offers, 外国為替 (foreign exchange ) may be better, because this is more wide-encompassing than just 両替. (It "implies" that they do telegraphic transfer instead of just exchanging cash at the counter, and most likely they also offer foreign currency accounts.)


Port City
New Zealand
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese
PRO pts in category: 88
Grading comment
This is a great explanation. Thanks very much!
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3 days 14 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
money exchange (currency exchange)
外貨両替


Explanation:

money exchange = 両替
http://ejje.weblio.jp/content/money exchange

currency exchange = foreign currency exchange = 外貨両替
http://www.ryogae-real-review.com/profile/waht.html

両替 can be done within the local currency (e.g., changing a dollar bill for four quarters) as well as into a foreign currency (e.g., changing dollars into yen).

So, in this case, it indicates exchanging money into the money of another currency (外貨の両替).


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Note added at 4 days (2017-06-24 16:51:40 GMT)
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Additional references:

両替する
https://kotobank.jp/jeword/両替

外国為替・外貨両替
https://www.faq.mizuhobank.co.jp/category/show/60?site_domai...
This site may be somewhat helpful in clarifying the usage between外国為替 and 外貨両替.


Reiko Ando
United States
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese
PRO pts in category: 4
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