Japanese word

ミステリー

Pronunciation

Romajimisuterī

Meaning

  • nounmystery

Example

私はミステリーを読みます。watashi wa mi su te rī o yo mi ma su

I read mysteries.

Illustration for ミステリー (mystery)

More examples

週末は家族とミステリー映画を見ます。shū matsu wa ka zoku to mi su te rī ei ga o mi ma su

I watch mystery movies with my family on weekends.

Core concept

Presents a puzzling situation whose concealed cause or answer gradually comes to light through inquiry.

Common phrases

  • ミステリー小説mi su te rī shō setsu

    mystery novel

  • ミステリー映画mi su te rī ei ga

    mystery movie

  • ミステリー作家mi su te rī sak ka

    mystery writer

Similar words

推理小説suirishōsetsu: A narrative organized around reasoning that brings the truth behind a crime or puzzle to light.
探偵小説tanteishōsetsu: A narrative led by a detective who examines clues to resolve a crime or mysterious incident.
推理物suiributsu: A category label for works in which deduction leads to the answer to a crime or puzzle.

Definition in Japanese

隠された事実や原因を探り、謎を解決していく筋立ての小説や映画などの作品。kaku sa re ta ji jitsu ya gen in o sagu ri nazo o kai ketsu shi te i ku suji da te no shō setsu ya ei ga na do no saku hin

Word origin

ミステリー (misuterī) was borrowed from English mystery; the English word traces back through Latin mysterium to Greek mystērion, meaning a secret or hidden matter.

Usage tips

  • English speakers use mystery for both a puzzling situation and a story about solving one, whereas Japanese ミステリー (misuterī) often refers specifically to the story or genre.

Word lists with this word