noun Common

sen

sehn

Sen (noun) means a small unit of currency in several Asian countries, worth one hundredth of the main unit — for example, one hundredth of a Japanese yen, an Indonesian rupiah, or a Malaysian ringgit. Example: “The vending machine only accepted coins, and he needed a hundred sen to make one yen.”

noun

A small unit of currency in several Asian countries, worth one hundredth of the main unit — for example, one hundredth of a Japanese yen, an Indonesian rupiah, or a Malaysian ringgit.

"The vending machine only accepted coins, and he needed a hundred sen to make one yen."

"Prices in the old market were sometimes listed down to the last sen."

How to use sen

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small coin or currency unit, like a cent, used in Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Common mistake

Don't confuse this currency term with the surname Sen, which comes from a completely different, unrelated source.

Word forms

sens plural, sen plural, sens plural, sen plural, sens plural, sen plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The vending machine only accepted coins, and he needed a hundred _____ to make one yen.

Etymology

Adapted from the Japanese and Malay use of "sen" for a subunit of currency, itself influenced by the English word "cent."

Origin: Japanese

Frequently asked questions

What does “sen” mean?

The word “sen” means a small unit of currency in several Asian countries, worth one hundredth of the main unit — for example, one hundredth of a Japanese yen, an Indonesian rupiah, or a Malaysian ringgit. In plain terms, a small coin or currency unit, like a cent, used in Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

How do you pronounce “sen”?

“Sen” is pronounced sehn (/sɛn/ in IPA).

How do you use “sen” in a sentence?

Here is “sen” used in a sentence: “The vending machine only accepted coins, and he needed a hundred sen to make one yen.”

What part of speech is “sen”?

“Sen” is a noun.

Where does the word “sen” come from?

The word “sen” comes from Japanese. Adapted from the Japanese and Malay use of "sen" for a subunit of currency, itself influenced by the English word "cent.".

Is “sen” a common word?

“Sen” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many sen are in a yen or a ringgit?

There are one hundred sen in the main unit: a sen is one hundredth of a Japanese yen, an Indonesian rupiah, or a Malaysian ringgit. It works the same way a cent relates to a dollar or a euro.

What is the plural of sen?

The plural of sen is sen, unchanged: "the ticket cost fifty sen." Like yen, it does not add -s in English.

Is the sen still used today?

In Malaysia the sen remains in everyday use as the coin subdivision of the ringgit. In Japan and Indonesia, sen coins are no longer part of everyday cash, and the unit survives mainly in historical and financial contexts.

What is the difference between sen and cent?

Both are minor units worth one hundredth of a main currency unit. Cent is used with currencies such as the US dollar and the euro, while sen is used in several Asian currencies, including the Japanese yen, the Indonesian rupiah, and the Malaysian ringgit.

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Vocabulary lists that include sen:

Words with Japanese origins