What does 千 mean in Japanese?
千 means “thousand” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 千 (thousand), 千円 (1,000 yen), and 千葉 (Chiba).
For learners, the key is to study 千 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: セン (sen)
Kun’yomi: ち- (chi-)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 千 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | thousand |
| Stroke Count | 3 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
千 is not limited to one English translation. In 千 (せん), it means thousand; in 千円 (せんえん), it points to 1,000 yen; and in 千葉 (ちば), it is used for Chiba. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 千（せん / sen） — thousand
- 千円（せんえん / senen） — 1,000 yen
- 千葉（ちば / chiba） — Chiba
- 千人（せんにん / sennin） — one thousand people
- 三千（さんぜん / sanzen） — three thousand
- 千代（ちよ / chiyo） — a thousand generations
Example Sentences
-
千円を払いました。
せんえんをはらいました。 / Sen-en o haraimashita.
I paid one thousand yen.
-
千人の人が集まりました。
せんにんのひとがあつまりました。 / Sennin no hito ga atsumarimashita.
One thousand people gathered.
-
千葉に友だちが住んでいます。
ちばにともだちがすんでいます。 / Chiba ni tomodachi ga sunde imasu.
My friend lives in Chiba.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 千 (せん / sen) because it keeps the core meaning of 千 clear. Then add 千円 and 千葉 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 千 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
千 means “thousand” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 千, 千円, and 千葉.