立方体
rippōtai[ɾʲip̚po̞ːta̠i]
The English word "cube" can be translated into Japanese as 立方体 (rippōtai).
立方体 (rippōtai) refers to a geometric object in the form of a cube. In modern contexts, such as when discussing design or specific items like a Rubik's cube, the loanword キューブ (kyūbu) is also frequently used.
Meaning: object more or less in the form of a cube (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 立方体 is composed of 立 (standing or forming), 方 (direction or side) and 体 (body or object), literally meaning 'a body of square sides'.
Which one should you use?
立方体 is the standard term for a geometric cube. In contrast, キューブ is a katakana loanword often used in modern contexts like design or when referring to toys like Rubik's cubes. The term さいの目 is used specifically for shapes resembling dice or when describing the way food is cut.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of cutting something into cubes, you can use the verb phrase さいの目に切る.
How do you pronounce it?
rippōtai
Did you know?
- While 立方体 is the geometric term, the word さいの目 (sainome) refers to cubes specifically the size of dice, derived from the ancient game of さい (sai).
- The character 方 in 立方体 can mean 'direction' or 'square', but it is also the same character used to describe a 'person' when used as a polite suffix.
- The kanji 立 (standing) in 立方体 suggests the shape is 'standing up' or 'elevated' from a two-dimensional square into a three-dimensional object.
Examples in context
- キューブは、六つの面がある立方体です。A cube is a shape with six faces.
- 私はキューブパズルが大好きです。I love cube puzzles.
- この箱はキューブの形状です。This box has a cube shape.
- この氷は立方体になっています。Kono koori wa rippoutai ni natte imasu.This ice is in the form of a cube.
- 立方体の箱を見つけました。Rippoutai no hako o mitsukemashita.I found a cube-shaped box.
- 立方体を組み立てるのが難しいです。Rippoutai o kumitateru no ga muzukashii desu.It is difficult to assemble the cube.
Example conversation
Daisho and Misaki are studying geometry together.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの図形は立方体かな？Kono zukei wa rippoutai kana?I wonder if this shape is a cube?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、立方体だよ。Un, rippoutai da yo.Yes, it is a cube.
- 大翔 Hiroto辺の長さは全部同じだね。He no nagasa wa zenbu onaji da ne.All the side lengths are the same, aren't they?
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね、大翔くん。Sou da ne, Daisho-kun.That's right, Daisho.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 立方体, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
