Translation guide
A riddle is a puzzling question or statement meant to be solved. In Japanese, the most common word is なぞなぞ for playful riddles, while なぞ can refer to a mystery or enigma. This guide covers how to talk about riddles, ask them, and describe puzzling things.
A fun question or puzzle that requires clever thinking to answer, often told as a game.
The standard word for a riddle as a game or puzzle. Often used in the phrase なぞなぞ遊び (riddle game).
なぞなぞを出してもいい？
Can I ask you a riddle?
これは面白いなぞなぞだね。
This is an interesting riddle.
A traditional Japanese wordplay riddle format where a pun links two unrelated concepts. Often used in rakugo or comedy.
なぞかけを一つ披露します。
I'll perform a nazokake riddle.
Something difficult to understand or explain; a puzzling person, situation, or phenomenon.
Broadly means mystery, enigma, or puzzle. Can refer to unsolved questions, mysterious events, or puzzling aspects of something.
宇宙にはまだ多くのなぞがある。
There are still many mysteries in the universe.
彼の行動はなぞだ。
His behavior is a riddle.
Means wonder, mystery, or marvel. Often used for things that are strange and fascinating, not necessarily a question to be solved.
An adjective meaning 'riddle-like' or 'enigmatic'. Used to describe something mysterious or puzzling.
彼女は謎めいた微笑を浮かべた。
She gave an enigmatic smile.
The action of presenting a riddle to someone.
The most natural way to say 'ask a riddle'. Literally 'to put out a riddle'.
子供たちになぞなぞを出した。
I asked the children a riddle.
Also means to pose a riddle, but can sound slightly more formal or literary. Used for both playful riddles and enigmatic statements.
彼は私になぞをかけた。
He posed a riddle to me.
The action of finding the answer to a riddle or mystery.
The standard phrase for solving a riddle or mystery. 解く means to solve, untie, or unravel.
このなぞを解けますか？
Can you solve this riddle?
彼は難しいなぞを簡単に解いた。
He easily solved the difficult riddle.
Means 'to figure out the answer to a riddle'. More colloquial than 解く.
なぞなぞの答えがわかった！
I figured out the riddle!
なぞなぞ is specifically a playful riddle with a question-answer format. なぞ is a broader term for any mystery, puzzle, or enigma. If you say なぞなぞ, Japanese speakers will expect a joke-like question. If you say なぞ, it could be a scientific mystery or a personal secret.
なぞなぞ：『パンはパンでも食べられないパンは？』
Riddle: 'What kind of bread can't you eat?' (Answer: frying pan)
なぞ：宇宙の起源はまだなぞだ。
Mystery: The origin of the universe is still a riddle.
The English loanword リドル is not commonly used in Japanese. It may be understood in some fantasy or gaming contexts, but なぞなぞ or なぞ are the natural choices.
人生はなぞだ。
Life is a riddle.
彼はなぞめいた話し方をする。
He speaks in riddles.
Life is full of riddles.