サイコロ
さいころ
noun
dice, die
1.
dice, die
A small cube with different numbers of dots (1-6) on each face, used in games of chance. Typically thrown to generate random numbers.
サイコロを振って出た目の数だけ進む。
Roll the dice and move forward by the number that comes up.
サイコロで6が出た！
I rolled a 6!
2.
cube-shaped pieces (of food)
Food cut into small cube shapes, resembling dice.
大根をサイコロ状に切る。
Cut the daikon into cube shapes.
ALTERNATE WRITING:
- 骰子 (kanji form, rarely used)
- Also written サイコロ in katakana
DICE TERMINOLOGY:
- サイコロの目 (the number/pips on a die)
- 丁 (even number total)
- 半 (odd number total)
- ぞろ目 (doubles)
COMMON USES:
- 双六 (sugoroku - traditional Japanese board game)
- 人生ゲーム (The Game of Life)
- 麻雀 (mahjong - for determining dealer/starting position)
- Tabletop RPGs and board games
COOKING USAGE:
- サイコロ切り (diced cut)
- サイコロステーキ (cubed steak)
- サイコロ状に切る (to cut into cubes)
IDIOM:
- 賽は投げられた (賽 is an older word for dice) - "The die is cast"
COLLOCATIONS:
- サイコロを振る (to roll/throw dice)
- サイコロを転がす (to roll dice)
- サイコロが出る (for a number to come up)