Japanese word

謎

Pronunciation

Romajinazo

Meaning

  • nounmystery

Example

彼が来なかった理由はまだ謎です。kare ga ko na ka tta ri yū wa ma da nazo de su

The reason he did not come is still a mystery.

Illustration for 謎 (mystery)

More examples

その古い手紙には多くの謎が残っています。so no furu i te gami ni wa ō ku no nazo ga noko tte i ma su

Many mysteries remain in that old letter.

Core concept

Describes something whose cause or answer is not yet clear, leaving it open to investigation or solution.

Common phrases

  • 謎を解くnazo o to ku

    solve a mystery

  • 謎が解けるnazo ga to ke ru

    a mystery is solved

Similar words

不思議fushigi: Something strange or unexplained that is difficult to understand.
疑問gimon: A point or matter that is not understood and needs an answer.

Definition in Japanese

原因や事情が分からず、容易には説明できない事柄。gen in ya ji jō ga wa ka ra zu yō i ni wa setsu mei de ki na i koto gara

Word origin

The native Japanese noun 謎 (nazo, "mystery") developed from 何ぞ (nani zo, "what is it?"), combining 何 (nani, "what") with ぞ (zo, an emphatic particle).

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 謎 (nazo) can describe an unexplained event or reason, so it is broader than English riddle, which usually suggests a question made for solving.

Other meanings

  • puzzlenoun
  • riddlenoun

Related words

  • 謎めくnazomekuseem mysteriousverb

Word lists with this word