算盤(そろばん)

そろばん
noun
abacus
educationtool
1. abacus
A calculating device consisting of a frame with rods and movable beads, traditionally used for arithmetic calculations.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)、算盤(そろばん)を習(なら)っていた。
I learned to use an abacus when I was a child.
算盤(そろばん)で計算(けいさん)する方(ほう)が早(はや)い人(ひと)もいる。
Some people can calculate faster with an abacus.
算盤(そろばん)教室(きょうしつ)に通(かよ)っている。
I go to abacus classes.
算盤(そろばん)の検定(けんてい)に合格(ごうかく)した。
I passed the abacus proficiency test.
算盤(そろばん)を習(なら)うと暗算(あんざん)が得意(とくい)になると言(い)われている。
It's said that learning the abacus makes you good at mental arithmetic.

Usually written in kana, そろばん. Despite calculators, abacus education remains popular in Japan because it trains mental calculation.

Cultural note

The modern Japanese abacus has one bead above the bar (worth 5) and four beads below it (each worth 1) on every rod; older abacuses had five below. Many children attend after-school abacus classes (算盤(そろばん)塾(じゅく) or 算盤(そろばん)教室(きょうしつ)) and take graded proficiency tests.

Related words

Common expressions

  • そろばんをはじく: to work the abacus; figuratively, to calculate one's gains

Related Words

Compare: 筆算(ひっさん) (written calculation)
Compare: 珠算(しゅざん) (abacus calculation)
Related: 暗算(あんざん) (mental arithmetic, often trained…)
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Added 2026.1.14 7:31 · Revised 2026.9.29 17:34
04000/04400_soroban