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yen

YEN/jɛn/

Pluralyen, yens

Verbyens, yenning, yenned

4 meanings of yen

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable
    The money used in Japan, or a coin worth one unit of that money.

    Like the dollar in the United States, but the money used in Japan.

    She changed her dollars into yen at the airport.

    The yen lost value against the dollar last week.

    UsageSay ten yen (not incorrect: ten yens).

  2. 2
    strong wishnouncountable
    A strong wish to do or have something.

    Like a strong pull inside that makes you really want something.

    She had a sudden yen for chocolate after dinner.

    He felt a yen to travel somewhere far away.

    UsageSay a yen for something.

    Similardesire, urge, craving, longing, yearning

    Oppositeaversion

    Note
  3. 3
    long forverbtransitive
    To want something very much.

    Like wanting something so much you can't stop thinking about it.

    He yens for a quiet life away from the busy city.

    They yen for the days when life felt simpler.

    UsageSay yen for something. Write yenned with two n's.

    Similaryearn, long, hanker, pine, crave

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    nounslang
    Opium, a drug made from poppy plants.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of yen apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meaning 1

It comes from the Japanese word 円/圓 (en), meaning "round," which came from Chinese words for a round silver coin.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • Yen comes from Japanese 円/圓, pronounced en and meaning round. en.wikipedia.org
  • The Japanese currency term ultimately comes from Chinese terminology for round silver coins. en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 2–3

The origin is not certain, but it probably comes from the Cantonese word 癮 (jan⁵, "craving"), first used for opium addiction.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

  • The origin is uncertain, with Cantonese 癮 the probable source. en.wiktionary.org
  • 癮 has the Cantonese pronunciation jan⁵ and means craving. en.wiktionary.org
  • English yen was first used for craving associated with opium addiction. gredos.usal.es