Translation guide
The English word 'cent' refers to a unit of currency equal to 1/100 of a dollar or euro. In Japanese, it is usually expressed using the loanword セント, but the concept of 'one hundredth' can also be conveyed with 分の1 or 厘 in specific contexts.
セント
cent (currency)
Referring to a cent as a unit of currency, such as US cents or euro cents.
The standard loanword for 'cent' in Japanese. Used for US cents, euro cents, etc. Often combined with a number, e.g., 1セント, 50セント.
これは1セント硬貨です。
This is a one-cent coin.
50セント切手をください。
Please give me a 50-cent stamp.
Expressing 'cent' as one hundredth of something, like in 'percent' or measurements.
Literally 'one hundredth'. Used in mathematical or formal contexts. For 'percent', use パーセント.
1センチメートルは1メートルの百分の一です。
One centimeter is one hundredth of a meter.
A traditional Japanese unit meaning one hundredth, especially of a shaku (尺) or in old currency. Rarely used in modern contexts except in historical or technical fields.
1厘は1分の十分の一です。
One rin is one tenth of a bu.
Using 'cent' to mean a trivial amount of money, as in 'not worth a cent'.
Literally 'not even one sen' (old Japanese currency unit). Used in negative sentences to mean 'not a penny/cent'. Common in set phrases.
彼は一銭も持っていない。
He doesn't have a cent.
Literally 'not even one yen'. Used similarly to mean 'not a single yen/cent'. More modern than 一銭も.
一円も無駄にできない。
I can't waste a single cent.
The yen does not have a 'cent' subdivision. Do not use セント when talking about Japanese money. Use 円 (yen) and 銭 (sen, historical) instead.
1円は100銭でした。
One yen was 100 sen.
99セントです。
It costs 99 cents.