ゼロ
zero[d͡ze̞ɾo̞]
The English word "zero" is translated into Japanese as ゼロ (zero), 零 (rei) or 〇.
Meaning: cardinal number before 1, denoting nothing (num)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ゼロ | zero | [d͡ze̞ɾo̞] (narrow) |
| 零 | rei | [ɾe̞ː] (narrow) |
The term refers to the cardinal number before 1, denoting nothing. While ゼロ is used for general counts and measurements, the kanji 零 is used for technical or mathematical data. The symbol 〇 functions as a numeral representing the digit zero.
Which one should you use?
ゼロ is the most common way to say zero in everyday conversation, particularly for counts or measurements like "zero calories". 零 is typically reserved for more formal, technical or mathematical contexts, such as describing temperatures. The symbol 〇 is a shorthand for the digit zero, often used in phone numbers, codes or when filling out forms to prevent confusion with other characters.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
zero
Did you know?
- When reading a phone number, Japanese speakers often say maru, which means 'circle', instead of zero or rei.
- The kanji 零 was originally used in Middle Chinese to describe 'small rainfall' or 'dripping' before it ever meant the number zero.
- Japanese has native words like nashi to express 'nothing' or 'none', which are used in different contexts than the mathematical ゼロ.
Examples in context
- 水は零度で凍るんだよね？Water freezes at zero Celsius, right?This sentence shows the use of 零 regarding temperature.Tatoeba #11102016 by small_snow, translation #4427801 by AlanF_US
- これは、カロリーゼロです。This has zero calories.This sentence demonstrates the use of ゼロ for measurements like calories.Tatoeba #11056093 by small_snow, translation #9300174 by DJ_Saidez
- 温度計は零下三度を示している。The thermometer reads three degrees below zero.This sentence uses 零 to describe a temperature below zero.Tatoeba #188320 by KK_kaku_, translation #25463 by CK
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are checking their phone battery levels.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、バッテリーは何パーセント？Yui, batterī wa nan pāsento?Yui, what percentage is your battery?
- 結衣 Yuiもうゼロだよ。充電しなきゃ。Mō zero dayo. Jūden shinakya.It's already zero. I have to charge it.
- 大翔 Hiroto僕のもあとゼロになるまであと少しだ。Boku no mo ato zero ni naru made ato sukoshi da.Mine is also close to becoming zero.
- 結衣 Yui大翔、貸して。充電器持ってるよ。Hiroto, kashite. Jūdenki motteru yo.Hiroto, let me help. I have a charger.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zero” translations and entries ゼロ, 零, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 〇, ゼロ, 零, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
