yen

¹

[ yen ]

noun

, plural yen.

1. an aluminum coin and monetary unit of Japan, equal to 100 sen or 1000 rin. : ¥; : Y
2. a former silver coin of Japan.

yen

²

[ yen ]

noun

1. a desire or craving:

   I had a yen for apple pie.

   Synonyms: appetite, hunger, hankering, longing

verb (used without object)

, yenned, yen·ning.

1. to have a craving; yearn.

yen

¹

/ jɛn /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Japan, (notionally) divided into 100 sen

yen

²

/ jɛn /

noun

1. a passionate, ardent, or intense longing or desire

verb

1. intr to yearn

Word History and Origins

Origin of yen¹

1870–75; < Japanese ( y ) en < Chinese yuán yuan

Origin of yen²

1905–10, Americanism; probably < dialectal Chinese (OAGuangdong) yáhn, akin to Chinese yǐn craving, addiction

Word History and Origins

Origin of yen¹

C19: from Japanese en , from Chinese yüan circular object, dollar

Origin of yen²

perhaps from Chinese (Cantonese) yăn a craving, addiction

Idioms and Phrases

see have a yen for .

Example Sentences

The cost of applying for a single-entry visa into Japan – meaning, you could only enter the country once – is 3,000 yen, or around $20 USD.

From Salon

The long-ruling party has become increasingly unpopular as Japan finds itself in the throes of economic challenges including soaring inflation, a sluggish economy and a weak yen.

From BBC

The accountant, who lives with his family in Hưng Yên, Vietnam, also owns a farm with about 600 pigs.

From BBC

A weak yen is good for exporters like Toyota and Sony as it makes goods cheaper for overseas buyers.

From BBC

But when the yen plummeted during Mr Kanda's time in office it increased the cost of importing essential items like food and fuel, causing a cost of living crisis in a country more used to seeing prices fall rather than rise.

From BBC