1.
riddle, puzzle
A question or statement phrased to require clever thinking to answer, often used as a game or entertainment, especially for children.
子供たちと謎々をして遊んだ。
I played riddles with the children.
この謎々の答えが分かる？
Do you know the answer to this riddle?
謎々を出すから当ててみて。
I'll give you a riddle, try to guess it.
この謎々は難しくて、誰も解けなかった。
This riddle was so hard that nobody could solve it.
遠足のバスの中で、先生が謎々を出して皆を楽しませた。
On the school trip bus, the teacher entertained everyone by giving riddles.
USAGE: 謎々 is the reduplicated form of 謎 (mystery/riddle). It specifically refers to playful riddles, often word-play based, typically enjoyed by children.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 謎々を出す (to give a riddle)
- 謎々を解く (to solve a riddle)
- 謎々の答え (the answer to a riddle)
WRITING: Can also be written as なぞなぞ in hiragana.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 謎 - mystery, enigma (more serious)
- クイズ - quiz (knowledge-based)