How to Say "Numbers" in Japanese

数字

sūji[sɨːʑi]

The English phrase "numbers" is translated into Japanese as 数字 (sūji).

The term 数字 refers to symbols used to represent numerical values. In informal counting, 八つ (yattsu) means eight.

How do you pronounce it?

sūji

When discussing large numbers, Japanese uses a base-10,000 system (myriads) rather than the Western base-1,000 system. This means the way people group 数字 changes at much larger intervals than an English speaker expects.
In Japanese culture, the number 'four' is so avoided that many hospitals and hotels skip the fourth floor entirely.
The word 数字 (sūji) is composed of the characters for 'number' and 'figure' or 'digit'. In Japanese, 'digit' can also mean a finger, showing a historical connection between counting and fingers.

トムは数字に強い。
Tom has a good head for numbers.
This sentence is useful for saying that someone is good with the form 数字.
Tatoeba #1355530 by bunbuku, translation #1093753 by CK
数字を合計して下さい。
Please add up the numbers.
This sentence is useful for asking someone to add up the form 数字.
Tatoeba #143541 by bunbuku, translation #271026 by CK
メーターの数字を読んでください。
Please read the numbers on the meter.
This sentence is useful for asking someone to read the form 数字 on a meter.
Tatoeba #194674 by small_snow, translation #441962 by CK
私は犬 2匹を飼っています。 (Watashi wa inu nihiki o katte imasu.)
I have two dogs.
りんごを一個食べました。(Ringo o ikko tabemashita.)
I ate one apple.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Ren and Yui are looking at a complicated math textbook.

結衣 Yui

この数字、読み方がわからない。
Kono suuji, yomikata ga wakaranai.
I don't know how to read this number.
蓮 Ren

僕が教えるよ。
Boku ga oshieru yo.
I'll teach you.
結衣 Yui

本当？助かる！
Hontou? Tasukaru!
Really? That helps!
蓮 Ren

数字の読み方は難しいよね。
Suuji no yomikata wa muzukashii yo ne.
Reading numbers is difficult, isn't it?

Sources

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