Have you ever found yourself in Japan, staring at a price tag or trying to understand directions involving numbers, only to realize you can’t perform even the simplest calculations in Japanese? As someone who’s spent years navigating the linguistic landscape of Japan, I’ve discovered that learning basic Japanese math vocabulary is an essential but often overlooked skill for language learners.
Why Learning Basic Japanese Math Matters
Mathematics may be a universal language, but expressing calculations differs significantly between English and Japanese. Whether you’re shopping at a local market, helping your child with homework, or simply trying to understand numerical information in Japanese, knowing how to express basic math operations can be incredibly valuable.
During a recent conversation with a Japanese colleague, I realized that despite being comfortable with everyday conversation, I couldn’t articulate even simple equations in Japanese. This knowledge gap led me to compile this comprehensive guide to basic Japanese math terminology.
Looking to build a stronger foundation in Japanese numbers first? Check out my Counting to 100 in Japanese guide on the resources page!
The Four Basic Mathematical Operations in Japanese
In Japanese, the four fundamental mathematical operations (加減乗除, kagenjojo or かげんじょうじょ) form the foundation of all calculations. Let’s explore each operation with clear examples and practice opportunities.
1. Addition: Tasu (足す)
The Japanese word for “to add” is “tasu” (足す). When reading an equation aloud, you would use this term where we would say “plus” in English. The equals sign “=” is pronounced “wa” (は) in mathematical contexts.
Addition Examples:
| Equation | Japanese Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 + 1 = 2 | いち たす いち は に | Ichi tasu ichi wa ni | One plus one equals two |
| 5 + 8 = 13 | ご たす はち は じゅうさん | Go tasu hachi wa jusan | Five plus eight equals thirteen |
| 24 + 36 = 60 | にじゅうよん たす さんじゅうろく は ろくじゅう | Nijuyon tasu sanjuroku wa rokuju | Twenty-four plus thirty-six equals sixty |
Pronunciation Tip: The word “tasu” uses the kanji 足, which also means “foot” or “to add” in other contexts. When expressing addition in equations, it’s always read as “tasu.”
2. Subtraction: Hiku (引く)
For subtraction, Japanese uses the verb “hiku” (引く), which literally means “to pull” in other contexts but serves as “minus” in mathematical expressions.
Subtraction Examples:
| Equation | Japanese Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 – 3 = 2 | ご ひく さん は に | Go hiku san wa ni | Five minus three equals two |
| 9 – 1 = 8 | きゅう ひく いち は はち | Kyu hiku ichi wa hachi | Nine minus one equals eight |
| 100 – 25 = 75 | ひゃく ひく にじゅうご は ななじゅうご | Hyaku hiku nijugo wa nanajugo | One hundred minus twenty-five equals seventy-five |
3. Multiplication: Kakeru (掛ける)
Multiplication in Japanese uses the verb “kakeru” (掛ける or かける). Interestingly, many Japanese teachers prefer to write this word in hiragana rather than using the kanji in mathematical contexts.
Multiplication Examples:
| Equation | Japanese Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 5 = 20 | よん かける ご は にじゅう | Yon kakeru go wa niju | Four times five equals twenty |
| 9 × 9 = 81 | きゅう かける きゅう は はちじゅういち | Kyu kakeru kyu wa hachijuichi | Nine times nine equals eighty-one |
| 12 × 6 = 72 | じゅうに かける ろく は ななじゅうに | Juni kakeru roku wa nanajuni | Twelve times six equals seventy-two |
Learning Tip: The multiplication tables (九九, kuku) are memorized by all Japanese schoolchildren and often recited in a rhythmic pattern. Practicing these can significantly improve your number fluency in Japanese.
4. Division: Waru (割る)
The Japanese term for division is “waru” (割る or わる), which also means “to divide” or “to split” in non-mathematical contexts.
Division Examples:
| Equation | Japanese Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ÷ 2 = 4 | はち わる に は よん | Hachi waru ni wa yon | Eight divided by two equals four |
| 42 ÷ 7 = 6 | よんじゅうに わる なな は ろく | Yonjuni waru nana wa roku | Forty-two divided by seven equals six |
| 100 ÷ 4 = 25 | ひゃく わる よん は にじゅうご | Hyaku waru yon wa nijugo | One hundred divided by four equals twenty-five |
Practical Application: When dining with Japanese friends, you’ll often need to split the bill. Being able to say “6000円を3人で割ると、一人2000円です” (Rokusen-en o sannin de waru to, hitori nisen-en desu – If we divide 6000 yen by 3 people, it’s 2000 yen per person) is incredibly useful!
Beyond Basic Operations: Expanding Your Mathematical Vocabulary
Now that we’ve covered the four fundamental operations, let’s expand our knowledge with additional mathematical terms and expressions commonly used in Japanese.
Essential Mathematical Symbols in Japanese
| Symbol | Japanese Name | Romaji | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| = | は / イコール | wa / ikōru | equals |
| > | より大きい | yori ōkii | greater than |
| < | より小さい | yori chiisai | less than |
| ≥ | 以上 | ijō | greater than or equal to |
| ≤ | 以下 | ika | less than or equal to |
| ( ) | かっこ | kakko | parentheses |
| % | パーセント | pāsento | percent |
Common Mathematical Terms
- 数字 (すうじ, sūji) – number/numeral
- 小数点 (しょうすうてん, shōsuten) – decimal point
- 分数 (ぶんすう, bunsū) – fraction
- 合計 (ごうけい, gōkei) – sum/total
- 平均 (へいきん, heikin) – average
- 二乗 (にじょう, nijō) – square (x²)
- 平方根 (へいほうこん, heihōkon) – square root (√)
For more essential Japanese vocabulary like this, don’t miss my 100+ Essential Japanese Phrases guide available on my resources page!
Real-Life Applications of Basic Japanese Math
Understanding mathematical expressions in Japanese isn’t just about academic knowledge—it has practical applications in everyday life in Japan.
Shopping and Money Transactions
When shopping in Japan, you’ll frequently encounter phrases like:
- 10%引き (じゅっぱーせんとびき, juppa-sento biki) – 10% off
- 半額 (はんがく, hangaku) – half price
- 税込み (ぜいこみ, zeikomi) – tax included
- 税抜き (ぜいぬき, zeinuki) – tax excluded
Being able to quickly calculate these discounts mentally can save you time and money. As I mentioned in my Costco Japan vs America comparison, understanding price calculations is especially important when comparing products between different stores.
Time and Distance Calculations
When traveling in Japan, you’ll often need to calculate:
- Train departure/arrival times
- Distance between destinations
- Time zone differences when calling home
Example: If your train departs at 13:45 and the journey takes 2時間30分 (nijikan sanjuppun – 2 hours and 30 minutes), you can calculate your arrival time as 16:15.
Academic and Work Settings
If you’re studying or working in Japan, mathematical vocabulary becomes even more crucial for:
- Understanding test instructions
- Following numerical data in presentations
- Participating in budget discussions
- Reading statistical information
Teaching Basic Japanese Math to Children
If you’re raising bilingual children or teaching Japanese to young learners, here are some effective strategies for introducing basic math concepts:
- Use visual aids – Pair numbers and operations with pictures or objects
- Create math cards with Japanese expressions on one side and English on the other
- Practice with everyday objects – Count items around the house in Japanese
- Incorporate math into games – Play simple board games that involve counting in Japanese
- Sing number songs – Music can help children memorize numbers and basic operations
Parents and teachers might find my Hiragana & Katakana Cheat Sheet helpful when introducing written numbers to children!
Word Problems in Japanese (文章題, Bunshou-dai)
Word problems (文章題, bunshou-dai) are an excellent way to practice applying mathematical operations in context. Here’s a simple example:
日本語: 田中さんはりんごを5個持っています。鈴木さんは田中さんにりんごを3個あげました。田中さんは今、何個のりんごを持っていますか？
Romaji: Tanaka-san wa ringo o go-ko motte imasu. Suzuki-san wa Tanaka-san ni ringo o san-ko agemashita. Tanaka-san wa ima, nan-ko no ringo o motte imasuka?
English: Tanaka has 5 apples. Suzuki gave Tanaka 3 more apples. How many apples does Tanaka have now?
Solution: 5 + 3 = 8 五たす三は八 Go tasu san wa hachi Tanaka now has 8 apples.
Tips for Mastering Basic Japanese Math
- Practice reading numbers aloud in Japanese regularly
- Create flashcards with equations on one side and their Japanese readings on the other
- Listen to Japanese math tutorials on YouTube to familiarize yourself with pronunciation
- Incorporate math practice into daily activities like shopping or cooking
- Study the JLPT N5 kanji related to numbers (available in my JLPT N5 Kanji Cheat Sheet)
- Play mental math games in Japanese to improve fluency
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on my experience and observations of fellow Japanese learners, here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:
- Confusing counter words – Different objects require different numerical counters in Japanese
- Misreading large numbers – The Japanese counting system groups numbers in units of 10,000 (万, man) rather than 1,000
- Incorrect pronunciation of math operations – Practice the proper intonation for tasu, hiku, kakeru, and waru
- Forgetting to use “wa” for the equals sign – In mathematical contexts, “=” is read as “wa” (は), not “desu”
- Using incorrect word order in equations – Follow the Japanese pattern of “[number] [operation] [number] wa [result]”
Conclusion: Building Your Mathematical Fluency in Japanese
Mastering basic Japanese math vocabulary and expressions is an often overlooked but incredibly valuable skill for anyone studying the language. From everyday shopping to helping with homework, these fundamental mathematical terms will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in numerous situations.
As you continue your Japanese learning journey, I encourage you to incorporate these mathematical expressions into your regular practice routine. Start with simple calculations and gradually work your way up to more complex equations and word problems.
For additional resources to support your Japanese learning journey, be sure to check out my complete collection of Japanese language guides, including the popular Counting to 100 in Japanese and JLPT N5 Kanji Cheat Sheet.
What mathematical concept in Japanese would you like to learn next? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author: [Your Name] is a passionate Japanese language educator with [X] years of experience living and teaching in Japan. Through [Blog Name], [he/she] provides practical, accessible guides to Japanese language and culture for learners at all levels.
