Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 素数 | sosū | [so̞sɨː] (narrow) |
| 素 | so | [so̞] (narrow) |
The term 素数 (sosū) is used to refer to "prime numbers" in mathematics, specifically those having no factors except themselves and unity. If you mean "prime" as in high quality or the best, the Japanese words change significantly depending on the situation: use 最上の for formal high quality, 最高 for informal excellence or 超一流 to enthusiastically describe something as top-notch.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 素数 is a compound of 素, meaning element, raw or undivided and 数, meaning number. Separately, the single character 素 can also refer to a prime element of a mathematical structure in algebra.
Which one should you use?
素数 is the standard term for a prime number, whereas 素 is a shorter form used in algebra to refer to a prime element of a mathematical structure.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The term for a prime number is a compound consisting of 素 (element/prime) and 数 (number).
How do you pronounce it?
sosū
Did you know?
- The character 素 in 素数 also means 'white' or 'plain' in other contexts, as in the word 素顔 for a 'natural face' without makeup.
- The character 素 is used in the word 素直 (sunao), which describes a person who is honest, guileless, or easy to manage.
- The word 素 can be found in the term 素粒子 (soryūshi), which is the Japanese word for 'elementary particle' in physics.
Examples in context
- １は素数ですか？Is 1 a prime number?This sentence is useful for asking if 1 is a prime number using 素数.Tatoeba #8040027 by Ninja, translation #8037707 by CK
- 2539は素数です。2539 is a prime number.This sentence is useful for stating that 2539 is a prime number using 素数.Tatoeba #1213096 by small_snow, translation #1213583 by alec
- 素数はどれでしょう。Which are the prime numbers?This sentence is useful for asking which numbers are prime numbers using 素数.Tatoeba #9934164 by small_snow, translation #1135665 by CM
- ええ、あそこのお店は最高の料理を提供していますよ。Yes, that place offers prime cuisine.
- あの映画は超一流だったね。That movie was superb!
- 最高の演技とストーリーでした。The acting and story were prime.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a math problem.
- 美咲 Misakiこの数字は素数かな？Kono suuji wa sosuu kana?I wonder if this number is a prime.
- 健太 Kentaいや、それは素数じゃないよ。Iya, sore wa sosuu janai yo.No, that is not a prime.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、もっと小さい素数を探そう。Jaa, motto chiisai sosuu o sagasou.Then, let's look for a smaller prime.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、計算してみよう。Sou da ne, keisan shite miyou.Right, let's try calculating it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prime” translations and entries 素数, 素, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
