数独
sūdoku[sɨːdo̞kɯ̟]
Sudoku in Japanese is 数独 (sūdoku). Wiktionary also lists ナンプレ (nanpure) and ナンバープレース (nanbā purēsu).
Meaning: a puzzle using numbers (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 数独 | sūdoku | [sɨːdo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| ナンプレ | nanpure | [nã̠mpɯ̟ɾe̞] (narrow) |
| ナンバープレース | nanbā purēsu | [nã̠mba̠ː pɯ̟ɾe̞ːsɨ] (narrow) |
The term refers to a puzzle using numbers (noun).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 数独 (sūdoku) is a coined term where 数 (sū) means 'number' and 独 (doku) means 'alone' or 'single'.
Which one should you use?
While 数独 is the formal name for the puzzle, ナンプレ is a very common abbreviation used in casual conversation. Additionally, ナンバープレース is a loanword from the English 'Number Place', which is another name for the game.
How do you pronounce it?
sūdoku
Did you know?
- Although the world knows the game as 数独, it was originally published in the United States as 'Number Place' in 1979.
- The kanji used in 数独 is the same one used in the word 独身, which means 'unmarried' or 'single'. This connects the puzzle's concept of 'single numbers' to the concept of a 'single person'.
- Despite being a global phenomenon, the term 数独 is not a traditional Japanese word but a modern coinage.
Examples in context
- 今日の新聞のナンプレ、めちゃむずっ。The sudoku in today's paper is very difficult.This sentence shows how to refer to a sudoku in a newspaper using the colloquial ナンプレ.Tatoeba #11065810 by small_snow, translation #6200454 by sundown
- 君を邪魔するくらいなら私は数独をやってるよ。I will play Sudoku then instead of continuing to bother you.This sentence uses the formal term 数独 to describe playing the game.Tatoeba #181956 by sugisaki, translation #1430 by wakaran
- 数独は論理パズルの一種です。Sudoku is a type of logical puzzle.
- 数独を解くのは楽しいです。Sudoku o toku no wa tanoshii desu.Solving sudoku is fun.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about their hobbies at home.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵は、数独が好き？Himari wa, sūdoku ga suki?Himari, do you like sudoku?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、結構ハマってるよ。Un, kekkō hamatteru yo.Yeah, I'm quite into it.
- 健太 Kentaいいなあ。僕にも教えてよ。Ii naa. Boku ni mo oshiete yo.That's nice. Teach me how to play too.
- 陽葵 Himariいいよ。まずはここから始めて。Ii yo. Mazu wa koko kara hajimete.Sure. Start with this one first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sudoku” translations and entries 数独, ナンプレ, ナンバープレース, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ナンバープレース, 数独, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
