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Yen / Circle
円
Yen / Circle
Kun-yomi 🇯🇵:
まる (maru)
(Japanese reading)
On-yomi 🇨🇳:
エン (en)
(Chinese-derived reading)
Yen / Circle
Yen / Circle

Pronunciation rules

  • まる (maru) is the kun-yomi used when the kanji means "circle".
  • エン (en) is the on-yomi used when the kanji means "yen" (Japanese currency).
  • This kanji has distinct meanings based on the reading: circle (まる) vs. yen (えん).

Examples

Kun-yomiNative Japanese Readings
円 を かきます。
I draw a circle.
Uses kun-yomi まる (maru) when meaning circle
On-yomiSino-Japanese Readings
えん です。
It's yen.
Uses on-yomi エン (en) when meaning yen (currency)
よんまんえん です。
It's 40,000 yen.
Uses on-yomi エン (en) in compound for currency amounts
えんだか です。
The yen is strong.
Uses on-yomi エン (en) in compound 円高

Quick facts

  • Radical: 囗 (enclosure)
  • Strokes: 4
  • Common compounds: 四万円 (よんまんえん, yonman'en), 円高 (えんだか, endaka)
  • ⚠️ Reading differences:
    • Circle meaning: まる (maru)
    • Currency meaning: えん (en)
    • Always use えん for yen amounts

Key Words

円 - yen, circle
四万円 - 40,000 yen
円高 - strong yen