小数点
shōsūten[ɕo̞ːsɨːtẽ̞ɴ]
The English phrase 'decimal point' is translated into Japanese as 小数点 (shōsūten).
小数点 is used to refer specifically to the decimal point used in mathematics.
Meaning: the point used in English mathematics (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of three parts: 小 meaning small, 数 meaning number and 点 meaning point.
How do you pronounce it?
shōsūten
Did you know?
- When reading a number like 3.14 aloud, Japanese speakers say 点 for the decimal point, but they may omit the 小 and 数 entirely, simply saying 三点一四.
- While English uses a 'point', the Japanese term 点 can also be used to describe a 'spot' or a 'stain' on clothing.
- In Japanese, the word for 'point' 点 also means 'score' or 'grade'. A student might receive a 点 of 100 on a test, using the same character found in 小数点.
Examples in context
- 数学の計算問題で小数点を使います。We use a decimal point in mathematical calculations.
- このグラフでは小数点以下の数値を表示しています。This graph displays values below the decimal point.
- 小数点以下After the decimal point
- 小数点的位置を確認してください。shousuuten no ichi o kakunin shite kudasai.Please confirm the position of the decimal point.
- 小数点以下の数字を読みます。shousuuten ika no suuji o yomimasu.I will read the numbers after the decimal point.
- ここに小数点があります。koko ni shousuuten ga arimasu.There is a decimal point here.
Example conversation
Misaki is helping Yota with his math homework.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太君、ここがおかしいよ。Youta-kun, koko ga okashii yo.Yota, this part is strange.
- 陽太 Yotaえっ、どこが間違っていますか？E, doko ga machigatte imasu ka?Eh, where is the mistake?
- 美咲 Misaki小数点が抜けているよ。shousuten ga nukete iru yo.The decimal point is missing.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ、ありがとうございます！Hontou da, arigatou gozaimasu!You're right, thank you very much!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “decimal point” translations and entries 小数点, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
