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.
スコアは2対ゼロだった。
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.
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.
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.
My efforts came to nought.
Can also mean 'nothing' in a figurative sense, especially in phrases like 'starting from zero'.
A common phrase meaning 'there is nothing'. More colloquial than 無.
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.
The plan came to nought.
Means 'to be wasted' or 'to come to nothing'. More straightforward than 水の泡.
My efforts came to nought.
A formal expression meaning 'to end in vain'. Used in writing or formal speech.
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.
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.
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).
All our work came to nought.
The thermometer showed nought degrees.
There is zero chance.