Basic Meaning
"百" (ひゃく) is the number 100 in Japanese. It is a fundamental number used in counting, prices, and measurements.
Usage in Numbers
It is often combined with other numbers to form larger numbers, such as 二百 (にひゃく, 200) or 三百 (さんびゃく, 300). Note that the pronunciation of "百" can change depending on the preceding number (e.g., さんびゃく).
Common Collocations
- 百円 (ひゃくえん): 100 yen, often used when talking about prices.
- 百メートル (ひゃくメートル): 100 meters, common in sports or distance measurements.
- 百種類 (ひゃくしゅるい): 100 kinds/types, used to express variety.
Register and Politeness
"百" is a neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse the pronunciation changes when "百" follows different numbers. For example, 300 is さんびゃく, not さんひゃく. Pay attention to these phonetic changes to sound natural.