v2.0

๐Ÿˆถ๐Ÿˆถ EmojiUnicode: 1F236

Indicates paid services or fees.

Released in The ๐Ÿˆถ emoji was introduced in Unicode 6.0 in 2010 as part of the Enclosed Ideographic Supplement block, originating from Japanese signage to denote non-free items or services.

not freepaidchargeJapanese symbolfee requiredkokoservice costpayment needednon-freecommercial

Meaning and Interpretation

The ๐Ÿˆถ emoji is a Japanese symbol that literally means 'not free of charge.' It is derived from the katakana character 'ko' enclosed in a square, often used in signage to indicate that something requires payment. This emoji is commonly employed in digital communication to signify that services, events, products, or experiences come with a cost, helping users understand there is no complimentary access. In its cultural context, it stems from Japanese business and public notices, emphasizing transparency about fees to avoid misunderstandings.

Symbolism

  • Represents the need for payment in transactions, highlighting commercial aspects.
  • Symbolizes the contrast to free offerings, reminding users of economic value.
  • Indicates exclusivity or premium status, where access is gated by cost.

Common Usage Scenarios

  • Warning about paid content in online forums or social media posts.
  • Discussing event tickets or services that require fees in messaging apps.
  • Indicating in-app purchases or subscription models in app reviews or recommendations.

Usage Examples in Conversation

Hey, that new app is super useful but it's ๐Ÿˆถ, so you'll need to pay a small fee to unlock all features.
The museum exhibit sounds amazing, but remember it's ๐Ÿˆถ โ€“ tickets start at $10.
I love this online course, though it's ๐Ÿˆถ and requires a monthly subscription to access the full content.
Don't forget, the restaurant we like has a cover charge, so it's ๐Ÿˆถ even for just drinks.
That game is fun at first, but it quickly becomes ๐Ÿˆถ with all the in-app purchases they push.

Usage Guidelines and Etiquette

  • Use ๐Ÿˆถ only in contexts where payment is explicitly involved to avoid confusion with free options.
  • Pair it with clear text explanations, especially for non-Japanese audiences who may not recognize it immediately.
  • Avoid overusing it in casual conversations to prevent diluting its meaning or making messages seem overly formal.

Related Emojis

๐Ÿ’ธ

Money with Wings

Represents money flying away, symbolizing spending or costs.

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Money Bag

Indicates wealth or payments, often used for financial discussions.

๐Ÿ’ณ

Credit Card

Symbolizes payment methods like cards for purchases.

๐Ÿ›’

Shopping Cart

Represents online shopping or items that might incur fees.

๐Ÿ‰

Bargain

A Japanese emoji for deals, contrasting with paid items.

๐Ÿˆบ

Free of Charge

The opposite of ๐Ÿˆถ, indicating something is complimentary.

๐Ÿˆน

Discount

Japanese emoji for sales, relating to pricing and costs.

๐Ÿ’ต

Dollar Banknote

Represents currency, often in payment contexts.

๐Ÿงพ

Receipt

Indicates proof of purchase or transactions.

๐Ÿ“‹

Spiral Notepad

Used for lists, including shopping or expense tracking.