一円
ichi en
The phrase for one yen in Japanese is 一円 (ichi en).
一円 is used to refer to the value of the smallest unit of currency in Japan.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the number one ichi and the counter for yen en.
Which one should you use?
While 一円 refers to the amount, adding the suffix 玉 to create 一円玉 refers specifically to the physical one yen coin.
How do you pronounce it?
ichi en
Did you know?
- The 一円玉 is made primarily of aluminum, which makes it so light that it can actually float on top of very dense salt water.
- Because the physical production cost of a single 'one yen' coin can sometimes exceed its face value, it is a frequent topic in Japanese economic discussions.
- The term 円 was officially adopted as the national currency in 1871 during the Meiji era to modernize the economy and replace the complex system of 'ryo'.
Examples in context
- 一円玉の原価は３円です。It costs three yen to make a one yen coin.This sentence is useful for mentioning the cost to produce a single 一円 coin.Tatoeba #9964947 by small_snow, translation #10122502 by tsp_2
- 一円玉を作るのに３円かかります。It costs three yen to make a one-yen coin.Tatoeba #9964946 by small_snow, translation #11184730 by CK
- 一円玉１枚作るのに、幾らかかるんだろう？How much does it cost to make a one yen coin?This sentence is useful for questioning the cost to produce a single 一円 coin.Tatoeba #9964935 by small_snow, translation #10121514 by tsp_2
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Himari are checking their change after shopping.
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、一円足りない。A, ichien tarinai.Oh, I'm one yen short.
- 陽葵 Himariいいよ、一円くらい。Ii yo, ichien kurai.It's okay, it's only one yen.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当にいいの？Hontō ni ii no?Are you sure it's okay?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、気にしないで。Un, kinishinaide.Yeah, don't worry about it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
