JLPT · Level 110
30 words
Japanese word
そろばん
Pronunciation
Romajisoroban
Meaning
- nounabacus
Example
子どもはそろばんを使います。ko do mo wa so ro ba n o tsuka i ma su
The child uses an abacus.
More examples
私はそろばんで簡単な計算をします。watashi wa so ro ba n de kan tan na kei san o shi ma su
I do simple calculations with an abacus.
Core concept
Beads arranged on rods make numbers visible and allow arithmetic by moving them.
Common phrases
そろばんを使うso ro ba n o tsuka u
use an abacus
そろばんで計算するso ro ba n de kei san su ru
calculate with an abacus
Definition in Japanese
棒に通した珠を動かし、数の表示や計算をする器具。bō ni tō shi ta tama o ugo ka shi sū no hyō ji ya kei san o su ru ki gu
Word origin
The Japanese term そろばん (soroban) comes from Chinese 算盤 (suànpán, "counting tray"), the name of a device for calculation.
Usage tips
- In English, abacus usually takes the plural abacuses, while abaci also appears in formal or historical writing.