noun
Uncommon
yen
yehn
Yen (noun) means the official currency of Japan, symbol ¥. Example: “He exchanged his dollars for yen at the airport.”
noun
1
The official currency of Japan, symbol ¥.
"He exchanged his dollars for yen at the airport."
"She paid for her ticket with yen left over from her trip."
"The shop only accepts yen, so I changed my money first."
2
A strong craving or longing for something.
"She had a sudden yen for spicy noodles."
"I've got a yen for a long walk by the sea."
"He felt a sudden yen to travel again."
verb
1
To have a strong desire for something.
"He yenned for a slower, simpler life after years in the city."
"She yens for a quiet cottage in the countryside."
"Many students yen to travel after finishing their exams."
How to use yen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither Japan's money, or (informally) a strong urge or craving for something.
Common mistake
The currency and the "craving" sense are unrelated words that happen to be spelled the same.
Common pairings
a yen for something
the Japanese yen
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Word forms
- Plural
- yens
- Third person singular
- yens
- Past tense
- yenned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He exchanged his dollars for _____ at the airport.
Etymology
The currency sense comes from Japanese en ("round object"), via Chinese yinyuan ("round silver piece"). The "craving" sense is unrelated, tracing instead to an old slang word for a craving for opium.
Related words
Rhymes for yen
See all rhymes for yen →Frequently asked questions
What does “yen” mean?
The word “yen” means the official currency of Japan, symbol ¥. In plain terms, either Japan's money, or (informally) a strong urge or craving for something.
How do you pronounce “yen”?
“Yen” is pronounced yehn (/jɛn/ in IPA).
How do you use “yen” in a sentence?
Here is “yen” used in a sentence: “He exchanged his dollars for yen at the airport.”
What is another word for “yen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “yen” include JPY.
What part of speech is “yen”?
Depending on how it is used, “yen” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “yen” come from?
The word “yen” comes from Chinese. The currency sense comes from Japanese en ("round object"), via Chinese yinyuan ("round silver piece"). The "craving" sense is unrelated, tracing instead to an old slang word for a craving for opium.
Is “yen” a common word?
“Yen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “yen” have?
“Yen” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the official currency of Japan, symbol ¥.
What is the difference between yen the currency and yen meaning a craving?
As a currency, yen refers to the official money of Japan, symbolized by ¥. As a noun for desire, yen means a strong craving or longing for something, an unrelated meaning that likely comes from a different word origin.
Can yen be used as a verb?
Yes, yen can function as a verb meaning to have a strong desire for something, as in "she yenned for a quiet vacation." This verb form is less common and mainly appears in informal or literary writing.
Is yen singular and plural the same word?
Yes, when referring to Japanese currency, yen is both the singular and plural form, so you would say "100 yen" rather than "100 yens."
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