すうがく
sūgakueveryday, school
In hiragana, "math" is すうがく (sūgaku). In elementary school the subject is called さんすう (sansū).
Meaning: mathematics (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| すうがく | sūgaku | everyday, school |
| さんすう | sansū | elementary school |
Students say すうがくが にがて (sūgaku ga nigate), "I am bad at math", or すうがくが とくい (sūgaku ga tokui), "I am good at math".
What does it mean word for word?
すうがく (sūgaku) is written 数学 in kanji. さんすう is 算数, so it means "arithmetic".
Which one should you use?
In Japan the name changes with the school level: さんすう (sansū) in elementary school, then すうがく (sūgaku) from junior high onward.
Did you know?
- The word さんすう (sansū) is used only for elementary school subject names, and from junior high the subject is すうがく (sūgaku).
Examples in context
- すうがくの じゅぎょうは おもしろい。Sūgaku no jugyō wa omoshiroi.Math class is interesting.
- わたしは すうがくが にがてです。Watashi wa sūgaku ga nigate desu.I am not good at math.
- さんすうの しゅくだいを します。Sansū no shukudai o shimasu.I do my arithmetic homework.
Example conversation
Kaito and Rui study together for a test.
- Kaitoすうがくの テスト、むずかしいね。Sūgaku no tesuto, muzukashii ne.The math test is hard.
- Ruiいっしょに べんきょうしよう。Issho ni benkyō shiyō.Let us study together.
- Kaitoありがとう、たすかる。Arigatō, tasukaru.Thanks, that helps.
