Translation guide
The English word 'nought' primarily means 'zero' or 'nothing'. In Japanese, the concept is expressed differently depending on whether you are talking about the number zero, the absence of something, or using it in idiomatic phrases.
Referring to the numeral 0, especially in mathematics, scores, or counting.
The most common and neutral way to say 'zero' in modern Japanese, used in everyday contexts, mathematics, and scores.
The score was 2 to 0.
The traditional Japanese word for 'zero', often used in formal contexts, written language, or when reading numbers digit by digit.
気温は零度です。
The temperature is zero degrees.
The symbol 〇 is read as 'maru' and is used when reading out numbers like room numbers or phone numbers, similar to saying 'oh' for zero in English.
部屋番号は一〇三です。
The room number is 103.
Expressing the absence of anything, or a quantity of zero.
Means 'nothing' or 'nonexistence'. Often used in philosophical or abstract contexts, but also in everyday phrases.
努力が無に帰した。
My efforts came to nought.
Can also mean 'nothing' in a figurative sense, especially in phrases like 'starting from zero'.
チャンスはゼロだ。
There is zero chance.
A common phrase meaning 'there is nothing'. More colloquial than 無.
冷蔵庫に何もない。
There is nought in the fridge.
Describing efforts or plans that end in failure or produce no result.
Literally 'become bubbles on water', meaning efforts come to nothing. A common idiom.
計画は水の泡になった。
The plan came to nought.
Means 'to be wasted' or 'to come to nothing'. More straightforward than 水の泡.
努力が無駄になった。
My efforts came to nought.
A formal expression meaning 'to end in vain'. Used in writing or formal speech.
彼の試みは徒労に終わった。
His attempt came to nought.
Specifically referring to the digit zero in British English, often in phone numbers or decimals.
In Japanese, 'zero' is used for the digit 0 in all contexts, regardless of British or American usage.
私の番号は〇九〇で始まります。
My number starts with nought nine nought.
ゼロ is the most common and casual. 零 is formal and often used in written language or when reading numbers carefully. 〇 (maru) is used for reading out digits in sequences like phone numbers or room numbers, similar to 'oh' in English.
電話番号は〇九〇-一二三四-五六七八です。
The phone number is 090-1234-5678.
The English word 'nought' is not directly translated into a single Japanese word in most contexts. Use the appropriate expression based on the meaning (zero, nothing, in vain).
私たちの仕事はすべて水の泡になった。
All our work came to nought.
温度計は零度を示していた。
The thermometer showed nought degrees.