偶数
gūsū[ɡɯ̟ːsɨː]
The Japanese phrase for "even number" is 偶数, pronounced gūsū.
偶数 refers to a positive integer that can be divided by two.
Meaning: positive integer that can be divided by two (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 偶, meaning even or pair and 数, meaning number.
Which one should you use?
The antonym of 偶数 (even number) is 奇数 (odd number).
How do you pronounce it?
gūsū
Did you know?
- The character 偶 in 偶数 is also used in the word 偶然 (gūzen), meaning 'by chance' or 'accidentally'. This reflects an ancient belief that odd numbers were 'stable' while even numbers were 'unstable' and linked to the unpredictable.
- In traditional Japanese culture, odd numbers 奇数 were often considered more auspicious than even numbers 偶数. This is why many traditional events or offerings are arranged in odd numbers.
- The character 偶 in 偶数 is the same character used for 'partner' or 'spouse' in other contexts, reflecting the idea that even numbers come in inseparable pairs.
Examples in context
- 十二は偶数だ。Twelve is an even number.Tatoeba #930200 by ryanwhiting, translation #73341 by CK
- あらゆる偶数は、二つの素数の和です。Every even number is the sum of two primes.Tatoeba #942825 by thyc244, translation #940950 by Scott
- この数列はすべて偶数です。Kono suuretsu wa subete guusuu desu.All the numbers in this sequence are even numbers.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a math problem in the library.
- 陽太 Yota答えは偶数かな？Kotae wa guusuu kana?I wonder if the answer is an even number?
- 美咲 Misakiたぶん偶数だと思うよ。Tabun guusuu da to omou yo.I think it is probably an even number.
- 陽太 Yota計算し直してみるね。Keisan naoshi te miru ne.I will try recalculating it.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、頑張って！Youta-kun, ganbatte!Good luck, Youta!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “even number” translations and entries 偶数, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
