千円

• Reading: せんえん
• Romaji: sen'en
• Kanji breakdown: 千 (sen) — one thousand; 円 (en) — yen, circle
• Pronunciation: /seɴ.eɴ/

Meaning

1000 yen. A common monetary denomination used in everyday transactions in Japan.

A noun combining the number 千 (sen, one thousand) with the currency counter 円 (en, yen). The 千円 bill is one of the most commonly used denominations in cash transactions and is often the minimum bill accepted by vending machines. Essential for basic shopping and paying at restaurants.

Examples

1. 千円で足りますか。 Is 1,000 yen enough?
2. お弁当は千円以下で買えます。 You can buy a bento box for under 1,000 yen.
3. 財布に千円しかありません。 I only have 1,000 yen in my wallet.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, money, prices

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound of 千 (sen, one thousand) and 円 (en, yen). The kanji 千 has been used to represent the number 1000 since ancient times, borrowed from Chinese.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal