一億
jat1 jik1
The English phrase "one hundred million" is translated into Cantonese as 一億 (jat1 jik1).
一億 is used to express the specific quantity 100,000,000.
Meaning: number 100,000,000 (num)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the number one, 一, placed before the unit 億, which represents the unit of one hundred million.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the quantity one hundred million, the number one 一 is placed directly before the unit 億.
How do you pronounce it?
jat1 jik1
Did you know?
- The character 億 also means 'to speculate' or 'to guess' in certain classical contexts. This stems from the idea of a number so large that it can only be estimated.
- While English counts in groups of three zeros (thousands), Cantonese groups numbers by four zeros. This means 一億 is the natural starting point for a new naming cycle rather than a combination of 'hundred' and 'million'.
- When talking about wealth, the phrase 億萬 is used to describe an 'innumerable' or 'staggering' amount. It combines 億 (hundred million) and 萬 (ten thousand) to signify a number beyond counting.
Examples in context
- 總投資額為一億美元The total investment is one hundred million dollars
- 嗰間公司一年賺一億。go2 gaan1 gung1 si1 jat1 nin4 zaan6 jat1 jek3.That company earns one hundred million a year.
Example conversation
Ka Ming and Ka Yan are discussing a lottery prize.
- 家明 Ka Ming如果你中咗一億蚊，你會點做？jyu4 gwo2 nei5 zung3 zo2 jat1 jik1 man1, nei5 wui5 dim2 zou6?What would you do if you won one hundred million?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我會買一間大屋。ngo5 wui5 maai3 jat1 gaan1 daai6 uk1.I would buy a big house.
- 家明 Ka Ming一億蚊買屋唔夠咩？jat1 jik1 man1 maai3 uk1 m4 gau3 me1?Is one hundred million not enough to buy a house?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan絕對夠，仲有好多錢。zyut2 doi6 gau3, zung6 jau5 hou2 do1 cin2.It's definitely enough, and there's still plenty of money.
