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.
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.
The action of presenting a riddle to someone.
The most natural way to say 'ask a riddle'. Literally 'to put out a riddle'.
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.
Can you solve this 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.
Riddle: 'What kind of bread can't you eat?' (Answer: frying pan)
Life is a riddle.
This is an interesting riddle.
なぞかけを一つ披露します。
I'll perform a nazokake riddle.
宇宙にはまだ多くのなぞがある。
There are still many mysteries in the universe.
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.
Life is full of riddles.
An adjective meaning 'riddle-like' or 'enigmatic'. Used to describe something mysterious or puzzling.
She gave an enigmatic smile.
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.
He posed a riddle to me.
He easily solved the difficult riddle.
Means 'to figure out the answer to a riddle'. More colloquial than 解く.
I figured out the riddle!
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.
He speaks in riddles.