What does 百 mean in Japanese?
百 means “hundred” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 百 (hundred), 百円 (100 yen), and 三百 (300).
For learners, the key is to study 百 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: ヒャク (hyaku)
Kun’yomi: —
Basic Information
| Kanji | 百 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | hundred |
| Stroke Count | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
百 is not limited to one English translation. In 百 (ひゃく), it means hundred; in 百円 (ひゃくえん), it points to 100 yen; and in 三百 (さんびゃく), it is used for 300. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 百（ひゃく / hyaku） — hundred
- 百円（ひゃくえん / hyakuen） — 100 yen
- 三百（さんびゃく / sanbyaku） — 300
- 八百（はっぴゃく / happyaku） — 800
- 百科（ひゃっか / hyakka） — encyclopedia; many fields
- 百貨店（ひゃっかてん / hyakkaten） — department store
Example Sentences
-
百円で水を買いました。
ひゃくえんでみずをかいました。 / Hyaku-en de mizu o kaimashita.
I bought water for 100 yen.
-
三百ページの本を読みました。
さんびゃくぺーじのほんをよみました。 / Sanbyaku pēji no hon o yomimashita.
I read a 300-page book.
-
百科事典で調べました。
ひゃっかじてんでしらべました。 / Hyakka jiten de shirabemashita.
I looked it up in an encyclopedia.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 百 (ひゃく / hyaku) because it keeps the core meaning of 百 clear. Then add 百円 and 三百 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 百 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
百 means “hundred” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 百, 百円, and 三百.