How to say "coin" in Japanese
"Coin" in Japanese is 硬貨 (kōka). In conversation, people say 小銭 (kozeni) for small change, or name the coin: 百円玉 (hyakuendama, 100-yen coin).
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Ways to say "coin" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 硬貨こうか · kōka | Coin. Formal. |
| 小銭こぜに · kozeni | Small change; coins. |
| 〜円玉〜えんだま · endama | Yen coin, as in 100-yen coin. |
How to use it
Japanese coins: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen. The 5-yen and 50-yen coins have holes.
Coin lockers are コインロッカー (koin rokkā).
Example sentences
- 百円玉を持っていますか。Hyakuendama o motte imasu ka.Do you have a 100-yen coin?
- 小銭がありません。Kozeni ga arimasen.I don't have any change.
- 駅のコインロッカーに荷物を預けました。Eki no koin rokkā ni nimotsu o azukemashita.I left my luggage in a coin locker at the station.
- 五百円玉が使えません。Gohyakuendama ga tsukaemasen.This machine doesn't take 500-yen coins.
- 千円札を小銭に両替できますか。Sen'ensatsu o kozeni ni ryōgae dekimasu ka.Can I change a 1,000-yen bill into coins?
- 財布が小銭でいっぱいです。Saifu ga kozeni de ippai desu.My wallet is full of coins.
Questions
What coins are used in Japan?
Japanese coins are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen. Bills are 1,000, 2,000 (rare), 5,000 and 10,000 yen.
Why is the 5-yen coin considered lucky?
5 yen, go en, sounds like ご縁 (goen), meaning a connection or good fortune, so people often use 5-yen coins as offerings at shrines.
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