Translation guide
The number zero, nothing, or the starting point. In Japanese, the concept is expressed with different words depending on context: the numeral, the shape, the idea of nothingness, or idiomatic uses.
Referring to the numeral or digit zero, such as in math, phone numbers, or counting.
The most common word for zero, used in everyday contexts like phone numbers, temperatures, scores, and counting. A loanword from English.
The temperature is zero degrees.
The score was 2 to 0.
Formal or technical term for zero, often used in mathematics, official documents, or when reading numbers digit by digit. Can sound stiff in casual speech.
The symbol 〇 is read as まる (circle) when reading numbers digit by digit, like room numbers or years. Not used in mathematical expressions.
The room number is 103.
Expressing the absence of quantity, score, or value; zero as nothing.
Used metaphorically to mean 'nothing' or 'no amount', as in 'zero chance' or 'zero tolerance'.
Referring to zero as a starting point, origin, or reset state.
'From zero', meaning starting from scratch or from nothing.
Let's start over from zero.
Saying a team or player has zero points, especially in tennis or baseball.
Used only in tennis scoring for zero. From English 'love'.
ゼロ is the default for everyday use. 零 is formal and used in mathematics or official contexts. 〇 (まる) is only for reading digits aloud in strings like phone numbers or room numbers.
The temperature dropped to zero.
Please gather at exactly zero hundred hours (midnight).
The calculation result is zero.
成功の可能性はゼロに近い。
The chance of success is close to zero.
We must reduce mistakes to zero.
Philosophical or abstract 'nothingness', 'nil', or 'void'. Used in contexts like 'zero gravity' or 'nothingness'.
In zero gravity, water forms a sphere.
Emphatic 'none at all', 'utterly lacking'. Stronger than ゼロ.
There is zero evidence.
He built the company from zero.
Idiom meaning 'back to square one' or 'back to zero', often used when progress is lost.
The plan went back to zero.
スコアはフィフティーン・ラブです。
The score is fifteen-love.
General term for zero in most sports scores.
The team was held to zero points.
The phone number is 090-1234-5678.
Using れい for zero in everyday conversation can sound overly formal or stiff. Stick to ゼロ unless you're in a math class or reading official numbers.
I have zero interest in that.