千
English meaning: Thousand
Definition
The number one thousand. In Japanese, large numbers are grouped by ten-thousands rather than thousands.
Example
“千円を両替してください。”
In English: “Please exchange one thousand yen.”
Another example: “この本は千円でした。”
Usage — When, Where & How
The numeral one thousand, read せん. Note Japanese groups large numbers by ten-thousands (万). Phonetic shift in 三千 (sanzen). Common in prices.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
'千' (sen) traces its roots to the ancient Chinese numeral for a thousand. It has been integrated into the Japanese counting system with a stable pronunciation.
Common Collocations
- 千円
- 千人
- 三千
- 数千
- 千年
Word Forms
Reading: せん; phonetic shift: 三千 sanzen
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“古池や 蛙飛び込む 水の音”
/Furuike ya / kawazu tobikomu / mizu no oto/
“The old silent pond — a frog jumps into the water — the sound of a splash.”
“この世をば どりゃおいとまと 咲く花に”
/Kono yo o ba / dorya oitoma to / saku hana ni/
“As the blossoms fall, this world bids farewell — saying: now I must go.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- 日本語
- Japanese
- Script
- Kana+Han
- Family
- Japonic
- Speakers
- 125M