Japanese word

マス

Pronunciation

Romajimasu

Meaning

  • nounsquare

Example

空いているマスに答えを書きます。a i te i ru ma su ni kota e o ka ki ma su

I write the answer in an empty square.

Illustration for マス (square)

More examples

表のマスに数字を入力します。hyō no ma su ni sū ji o nyū ryoku shi ma su

I enter numbers in the cells of the table.

Core concept

The word マス (masu) has unrelated senses for a square cell, a mass of matter, and a trout rather than one shared core meaning.

Common phrases

  • マスを埋めるma su o u me ru

    fill a square

  • マスに入れるma su ni i re ru

    put in a square

  • マスを囲むma su o kako mu

    circle a square

  • マスを空けるma su o a ke ru

    leave a square blank

Similar words

セルseru: A table or spreadsheet unit that can contain a value or entry.
枠waku: A bounded space marked on a form or layout for entering or displaying information.

Definition in Japanese

全体を区切って作った、記入や計算などのための四角い一区画。zen tai o ku gi tte tsuku tta ki nyū ya kei san na do no ta me no shi kaku i ichi ku kaku

Word origin

The Japanese noun マス (masu) is commonly explained as a shortened form of マス目 (masume), which is linked to 升 (masu), a traditional measuring box used as a unit.

Usage tips

  • Crossword and puzzle instructions in Japan use マス (masu) for each cell, so the word often means a place to enter one answer.

Other meanings

  • troutnoun
  • massnoun

Related words

  • マス状masujōsquare-shapedna-adjective

Word lists with this word