Are you learning Japanese numbers and curious about how to say “10,000”? Understanding large numbers in Japanese is key to mastering the language, especially for daily conversations, shopping, or traveling in Japan. In this guide, we’ll explain how to say “10,000” in Japanese and its practical applications.
How Do You Say “10,000” in Japanese?
In Japanese, “10,000” is expressed as Ichiman (一万). Unlike English, where we group numbers by thousands, Japanese groups numbers by units of 10,000. This system is essential for understanding larger numbers.
For example, 20,000 is Niman (二万), and 100,000 is Juu-man (十万).
Understanding Japanese Number Groupings
Japanese uses a unique grouping system based on units of 10,000, called “man” (万). Unlike the English system, which groups numbers by thousands (1,000 units), Japanese groups numbers by 10,000 units. For example, 10,000 is expressed as “Ichiman” (一万), and 1,000,000 is “Hyakuman” (百万), with no equivalent to “ten thousand” as a standalone concept.
Additionally, Japanese continues this pattern into larger numbers. For instance, 10,000,000 is “Issenman” (千万), and 100,000,000 is “Ichioku” (一億), demonstrating the logical extension of the 10,000-unit grouping system.
- 1,000 = Sen (千)
- 10,000 = Ichiman (一万)
- 100,000 = Juu-man (十万)
- 1,000,000 = Hyaku-man (百万)
- 10,000,000 = Issenman（一千万）
- 100,000,000 ＝ Ichioku（一億）
Practical Applications and Usage
Knowing how to say “10,000” in Japanese is useful in many situations. Below are practical examples:
Shopping
When shopping, you might encounter prices like “10,000 yen” (一万円). To ask about the price, you can say, “Kore wa ikura desu ka?” (これはいくらですか？), meaning “How much is this?”
Discussing Large Numbers
If you want to talk about large amounts, use “man.” For instance, “There are 10,000 people” is “Ichiman nin ga imasu” (一万人がいます).
FAQs
Here are common questions about Japanese numbers:
Why does Japanese group numbers by 10,000?
This system originates from ancient Chinese numerals, which influenced Japanese counting. It simplifies expressing large numbers in fewer words.
How can I practice saying “10,000” in Japanese?
Practice by reading prices, populations, or other large numbers in Japanese. For example, say “Ichiman” when you see 10,000 yen in a store.
Conclusion
Mastering numbers like “10,000” in Japanese is an important step in learning the language. Understanding the “man” system will help you navigate daily life, from shopping to discussing statistics, with ease.
Comments