Translation guide
The English word "cipher" has several distinct meanings: a secret code, a person or thing of no importance, and the mathematical concept of zero. This guide helps learners express each meaning naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a method of secret writing or an encoded message.
Describing someone or something that has no value, influence, or significance.
A natural way to say 'a person of no importance' or 'a nobody'. Literally 'an existence not worth taking up'.
彼は会社では取るに足らない存在だ。
He is a cipher in the company.
Referring to the number zero, especially in historical or formal contexts.
The standard word for zero in mathematics. Also used in temperatures and scores.
In English, 'cipher' can be a verb meaning to encode or calculate, but this usage is rare. In Japanese, use 暗号化する (あんごうかする) for 'to encrypt' and 解読する (かいどくする) for 'to decipher'.
メッセージを暗号化する。
Encrypt the message.
暗号を解読する。
Decipher the code.
The most common and general term for a cipher or code. Can refer to both the system and the encoded message.
このメッセージは暗号で書かれている。
This message is written in cipher.
暗号を解読するのは難しい。
Deciphering the code is difficult.
Loanword from English, used in technical or modern contexts, especially in computing and cryptography.
このサイファーは解読が不可能だ。
This cipher is impossible to crack.
Specifically refers to the encoded text or ciphertext, rather than the system.
暗号文を平文に戻す。
Convert the ciphertext back to plaintext.
Means 'worthless' or 'of no value'. Can be used for things or people, but may sound blunt.
その提案は無価値だった。
The proposal was a cipher.
Literally 'just a person', implying someone ordinary and insignificant. Casual.
有名人だと思ったけど、ただの人だった。
I thought he was famous, but he was just a cipher.
その数式の答えは零だ。
The answer to the equation is cipher.
Loanword for zero, very common in everyday speech and modern contexts.
気温がゼロ度まで下がった。
The temperature dropped to zero.