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.
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, 50.
This is a one-cent coin.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One yen was 100 sen.
I don't have a cent.
Idiomatic; literally 'I don't have even one sen.'
It costs 99 cents.
One rin is one tenth of a bu.