珠 算(しゅざん)

しゅざん

noun

abacus calculation; soroban arithmetic

1. abacus calculation; soroban arithmetic

The art and skill of calculating with a そろばん (abacus). Often refers to the school subject or after-school class where children learn this skill.

珠算(しゅざん)を習(なら)う。

To learn abacus.

彼女(かのじょ)は珠算(しゅざん)二級(にきゅう)を持(も)っている。

She has a second-rank abacus certification.

子供(こども)の頃(ころ)に珠算(しゅざん)を学(まな)んだおかげで、今(いま)でも暗算(あんざん)が得意(とくい)だ。

Thanks to learning abacus as a child, I'm still good at mental arithmetic.

珠(しゅ) refers to the beads of the abacus; 算(さん) means 'calculation.'

Common collocations

珠算(しゅざん)教室(きょうしつ): abacus class/school
珠算(しゅざん)検定(けんてい): abacus proficiency exam
珠算(しゅざん)大会(たいかい): abacus competition

Cultural note

The abacus remains a popular after-school activity in Japan, valued for building number sense and mental-calculation speed. Proficiency is measured by ranked levels (級(きゅう) and 段(だん)), the same grading system used in martial arts. Advanced students can perform large calculations mentally by visualizing the abacus.

Similar words

そろばん: the abacus itself (the physical device) — more common in everyday speech
暗算(あんざん): mental arithmetic — calculation without any tool

Related Words

Compare: 算盤(そろばん) (the abacus itself)

Compare: 暗算(あんざん) (mental arithmetic)

general

Added 2026.6.6 13:04 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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