Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hundred" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hundred", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
ひゃく
ひゃく (hyaku)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
億
おく (oku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hundred" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between ひゃく and 億.
In Japanese, ひゃく (ひゃく (hyaku)) is typically associated with "hundred" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents 数字の100を表します。お金の単位や、数を数えるときによく使われます。例：百円.
On the other hand, 億 (おく (oku)) maps to "hundred million" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A large number unit, one 億. A literal translation of "hundred" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "ひゃく"
この本はひゃく円です。
This book is 100 yen.
Bilingual Context for "億"
日本の人口は約一億二千万人です。
Japan's population is about 120 million people.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この本は ＿＿＿ 円です。" (Meaning: "This book is 100 yen.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ひゃく" fits here because it means "hundred" in the context of: "This book is 100 yen.". "億" represents "hundred million".