謎
riddle, puzzle, enigma, hint, tip
Readings
On'yomi
- メイ
- ベイ
Kun'yomi
- なぞ
Meaning
謎 centers on something that is not immediately clear and requires thought to understand: a riddle, puzzle, or enigma. The hint and tip senses are natural extensions, as they are clues that help solve such mysteries.
Most common words using 謎
- 謎なぞN2
riddle; puzzle; enigma; mystery
- 謎々なぞなぞN2
riddle; puzzle; enigma
- 謎いなぞい
mystifying; puzzling; perplexing; baffling; bewildering
- 謎かけなぞかけ
telling a riddle
- 謎めいたなぞめいた
enigmatic; puzzling; mysterious; wrapped in mystery
- 謎めくなぞめく
to be enigmatic; to be puzzling; to be wrapped in mystery
- 謎を掛けるなぞをかける
to pose a riddle
- 謎を解くなぞをとく
to solve a mystery
- 謎仕様なぞしよう
confusing set-up; puzzling method
- 謎染めなぞぞめ
dyeing pattern incorporating a riddle
- 謎解きなぞとき
solving a riddle; solving a mystery
- 謎語めいご
mysterious words; confusing words
Study
Etymology
謎 combines 言 (speech) with 迷 (to be perplexed or lost), suggesting words that cause confusion or require unraveling. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component relationship is clear.
Meaning mnemonic
Words (言) that make you feel lost (迷) are riddles. Picture a confusing spoken puzzle that leaves you wandering in thought.
Reading mnemonic
For メイ, imagine a mysterious riddle written on a May calendar page: May -> メイ, and the riddle's words leave you puzzled.