The principal amount of a loan — the original sum owed excluding interest.
ローンの元金は毎月少しずつ返済している。
I repay the loan principal little by little every month.
利子だけでなく元金も早めに返済したい。
I want to pay off the principal as well as the interest early.
Seed money or capital used to start a business or investment.
店を開くための元金を貯め始めた。
I started saving the capital needed to open a shop.
事業の元金として親から援助を受けた。
I received support from my parents as start-up capital for the business.