数学
sūgaku[sɨːɡa̠kɯ̟]
The Japanese word for math is 数学 (sūgaku).
数学 is used to refer to mathematics as an academic subject.
Meaning: short form of mathematics (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 数 (number/count) and 学 (study/learning).
Which one should you use?
While 数学 refers to mathematics as an academic subject, 算数 is the term used specifically for arithmetic or elementary school level math.
How do you pronounce it?
sūgaku
When do people say it?
In elementary school, Japanese students have a math class called さんすう.
Did you know?
- The character 数 can be read as すう (sū) in 数学, but when used on its own to mean 'number', it is often read as かず (kazu).
- The word 算数 refers specifically to arithmetic and is closely linked to the use of the そろばん (soroban) or traditional Japanese abacus.
- While 数学 is the general term, Japanese students strictly use 算数 until they reach junior high school, where the subject officially changes name to 数学.
Examples in context
- 数学が得意です。I am good at math.This sentence is useful for saying you are good at the subject using the form 数学.Tatoeba #143578 by wat, translation #270988 by CC
- 私は数学が得意だ。I'm good at math.Tatoeba #155616 by tommy_san, translation #944961 by CK
- 私は数学が好きだ。I like math.This sentence is useful for saying you like the subject using the form 数学.Tatoeba #155617 by bunbuku, translation #435452 by CK
- 大学で数学を勉強しています。I'm studying math at university.
- その数学の問題についてどう思う？What do you think about the math problem?
- 102 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their school subjects.
- 結衣 Yui数学のテストはどうだった？Suugaku no tesuto wa dou datta?How was the math test?
- 陽太 Yotaすごく難しかったよ。Sugoku muzukashikatta yo.It was very difficult.
- 結衣 Yui陽太は数学が得意なの？Youta wa suugaku ga tokui nano?Are you good at math, Youta?
- 陽太 Yotaいや、苦手なんだ。Iya, nigate nanda.No, I'm not good at it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 数学, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
