WordGarden.ioyen
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /jˈɛn/
US
- /ˈjɛn/
Meanings
Noun
the basic monetary unit of Japan
a strong desire or craving for something
Beyond the definition
The word "yen" is not about money here, even though it is also the name of Japan's currency. In this sense, it means a strong craving or a lasting longing. It is that quiet pull toward something special, like an old sailor with a "yen" for the sea, or someone in a busy city who feels a "yen" for the peace of the countryside.
It is stronger than a passing wish and often carries a sense of memory or feeling. You might want a snack, but you have a yen for your grandmother's homemade apple pie. The word often points to a personal longing for something that brings comfort, joy, or emotional meaning.
"Yen" describes a powerful, often wistful longing or craving. It is rarely used for basic survival needs; instead, it suggests a deep-seated desire accompanied by a sense of nostalgia, affection, or even a bit of melancholy. While we use "want" for immediate impulses and "desire" for formal ambitions, a "yen" suggests a more emotional, personal, and perhaps persistent yearning.
Interestingly, the origin of this "yen" has nothing to do with Japanese currency. It came into English through Chinese and originally referred to a craving. Over time, the word broadened and softened into its current meaning: a strong urge or a sentimental longing for a particular experience, place, or feeling.
You typically wouldn't say you have a "yen" for a stapler or a toothbrush; the word is reserved for things that pull at the heartstrings. You might have a "yen" for adventure, a "yen" to see an old friend, or a "yen" for the music of your youth. It's a word that captures those moments when your heart leans toward something just out of reach, making it a perfect term for the bittersweet nature of human longing.
Examples
- 1
Price
This train pass costs 8,000 yen.
- 2
Payment
The hotel prefers to be paid in yen.
- 3
Exchange rate
A weaker yen can make Japanese exports cheaper.
- 4
Food craving
Lately I've had a yen for spicy food.
- Phrasehave a yen for + something
strongly want it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Life change
After ten years in the city, she felt a yen for a quieter life.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- yennounverb
Forms
- yenspluralnounverb