謎(なぞ)

なぞ
noun
riddle, mystery, puzzle
leisure
1. riddle, puzzle
A question or statement designed to be solved or guessed; a word game or brain teaser.
謎(なぞ)を出(だ)して。
Give me a riddle.
子供(こども)たちが謎(なぞ)解(と)きを楽(たの)しんだ。
The children enjoyed solving riddles.
謎(なぞ)解(と)き = solving riddles/puzzles
謎(なぞ)を解(と)くのが好(す)きだ。
I like solving riddles.
謎(なぞ)を解(と)く = to solve a riddle/mystery
この謎(なぞ)掛(か)けの答(こた)えが分(わ)かりますか。
Can you figure out the answer to this riddle?
謎(なぞ)掛(か)け = wordplay riddle
友達(ともだち)と謎(なぞ)を出(だ)し合(あ)って遊(あそ)んだ。
I played with my friends, taking turns asking each other riddles.
2. mystery, enigma
Something that is difficult to understand or explain; an unsolved question.
謎(なぞ)の人物(じんぶつ)が現(あらわ)れた。
A mysterious person appeared.
宇宙(うちゅう)には多(おお)くの謎(なぞ)がある。
There are many mysteries in the universe.
この事件(じけん)は謎(なぞ)に包(つつ)まれている。
This case is shrouded in mystery.
謎(なぞ)に包(つつ)まれている = shrouded in mystery
彼(かれ)の行動(こうどう)は謎(なぞ)だらけだ。
His behavior is full of mysteries.
何年(なんねん)も研究(けんきゅう)しても、この謎(なぞ)は解(と)けないままだ。
Even after years of research, this mystery remains unsolved.

Usage: 謎(なぞ) refers to both playful riddles and serious mysteries. Context determines which meaning applies.

Common patterns

Compounds

Cultural note: 謎(なぞ)掛(か)け is a traditional Japanese form of wordplay where the answer connects two seemingly unrelated things through a pun.

Related Words

Compare: 不可思議(ふかしぎ) (mysterious)
Compare: ミステリー (mystery (genre))
core
Added 2026.1.12 19:36 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
03500/03505_nazo