Definition of the word yen

The word "yen" has its roots in the Chinese language, where it is pronounced as 愁 [yen4] in Cantonese or 渴 [yīn6] in Mandarin. The Chinese character for "yen" is 慾, which can be translated as "desire" or "urge." In Cantonese slang, "yen" is often used to denote an intense craving for something, such as food, drugs, or sex. This usage can be traced back to the 1950s and 1960s, when Cantonese-speaking immigrants to the United Kingdom began adopting the term as a colloquialism. The use of the word "yen" has since spread to other English-speaking communities with significant Cantonese-speaking populations, such as in Hong Kong and Australia. Today, "yen" is considered a colloquialism in these contexts and is often used to describe strong desires or urges, especially in relation to activities or substances that are considered taboo or taboo-adjacent. In summary, the word "yen" originally comes from the Chinese word 慾, which signifies a desire or urge. Its usage as a colloquialism in Cantonese and English-speaking communities can be attributed to the spread of Cantonese culture and slang, dating back to the mid-twentieth century.