English pronunciation · Words Starting with Y

Yen Pronunciation

Yen is pronounced YEN, IPA /ˈjɛn/.

YEN

US /ˈjɛn/  ·  UK /ˈjɛn/

Syllables: YEN (1 syllable)

noun: The currency of Japan, and also a strong longing for something.

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Yen in a Sentence

  • The price was quoted in yen.
  • She has a yen for the sea in winter.
  • A thousand yen will not buy much in Tokyo.

Common Mispronunciations of Yen

Not YEEN

Short and flat, so the word rhymes with ten rather than with keen.

Not YENZ

The currency takes no plural s. Five hundred yen stays yen, the way sheep and aircraft do.

Tip: The money word comes from Japanese en and the longing word from a Cantonese term for a craving, so the two are unrelated.

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