Translation and Meaning of: 数字 - suuji

If you are learning Japanese, you may have already come across the word 数字 (すうじ). It is essential in everyday life and appears in various contexts, from simple calculations to important documents. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in the Japanese language. Furthermore, we will look at some curiosities and tips to help you memorize it more easily.

The meaning of 数字 is "number."

The word 数字 (すうじ) means "number" or "digit" in Japanese. It is composed of the kanjis 数 (count, number) and 字 (character, letter), forming the idea of "numeric characters." Unlike in Portuguese, where "number" can refer to both quantities and identifiers (like phone numbers), in Japanese, 数字 is primarily used for digits and written numerical representations.

An interesting detail is that 数字 does not refer to numbers in an abstract sense, as in advanced mathematics. For more complex concepts, Japanese people use terms like 数 (かず) or 数値 (すうち). This distinction is important for those who want to avoid confusion when studying the language.

How 数字 is used in everyday life?

In Japan, 数字 appears in everyday situations, such as prices, dates, times, and statistics. If you've seen an advertisement with "50% off" written in Japanese, it was probably accompanied by 数字. It is also common in forms, where you are asked to fill out numerical information, such as age or postal code.

Another frequent use is in combination with other words. For example, 数字キー (すうじキー) means "numeric keypad," and 数字入力 (すうじにゅうりょく) refers to "number input." These combinations show how the term is integrated into technical and bureaucratic vocabulary.

Tips to memorize 数字

An effective way to memorize 数字 is to associate it with practical situations. For example, when seeing a price in a Japanese market, mentally repeat: "これは数字です" (this is a number). Another tip is to study the kanjis separately: 数 (counting) and 字 (character) together form "counting characters", which makes sense for "digits".

Some students also use flashcards with numbers written in kanji and romaji. This method helps tie the writing to the pronunciation, especially since すうじ sounds different from similar words, such as 数値 (すうち). Practicing with exercises for reading numbers in Japanese also strengthens memorization.