百円

• Reading: ひゃくえん
• Romaji: hyakuen
• Kanji breakdown: 百 (hyaku) — one hundred; 円 (en) — yen, circle
• Pronunciation: /ça.kɯ.eɴ/

Meaning

100 yen. The base coin denomination frequently used in everyday shopping.

A noun combining 百 (hyaku, one hundred) with 円 (en, yen). The 百円 coin is the most commonly used coin in Japan, essential for vending machines, convenience stores, and the famous 百円ショップ (100-yen shops). Understanding this denomination is crucial for basic transactions.

Examples

1. ジュースは百円で買えます。 You can buy juice for 100 yen.
2. 百円ショップで文房具を買いました。 I bought stationery at the 100-yen shop.
3. 百円玉が五枚あります。 I have five 100-yen coins.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, vending machines, 100-yen shops

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound of 百 (hyaku, one hundred) and 円 (en, yen). The kanji 百 originally depicted 'one' on top of 'white,' an ancient way of representing the number 100.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal