How to say "clue" in Japanese

• ヒントJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA hint: a pointer given to help someone answer, solve, or figure something out. Use it for clues in quizzes, games, and puzzles, not for evidence in an investigation.
  極きわめて知能ちのうの高たかい人々ひとびとの習慣しゅうかんは、それをどのように行おこなうかについてヒントを与あたえる。↗

  The habits of highly intelligent people offer a clue as to how to do that.
• 手がかりてがかりJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe clue in an investigation or search: a piece of information or evidence that gives you something to go on, a lead or trail to follow. This is the detective-story clue.
  その殺人者さつじんしゃの正体しょうたいは手掛てがかりがまったくなかった。↗

  There was no clue as to the identity of the murderer.
• 暗示あんじJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA suggestion or implication: something that hints at a fact without stating it outright. As 'clue' it fits a remark or detail that indirectly implies something, not a piece of investigative evidence.
  彼かれの言葉ことばは何なんを暗示あんじしているのか。↗

  What do his words imply?
• キーワードCommon
  nounReally 'keyword': the word or phrase central to a topic, text, or search. As 'clue' it fits only when the clue is itself a key word or phrase, so it is seldom what you want.
• 端緒たんしょCommon
  nounEssentially a start, beginning, or first step: the initial thread an inquiry sets out from. Its 'clue' sense is that first lead, and it is seldom the word you want for a plain clue.

Use 「手がかり」 for investigative clues, 「ヒント」 for hints that help toward an answer, 暗示 for indirect suggestions or implications, 「キーワード」 when the clue is a key word or phrase, and 端緒 for the first thread of an inquiry.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ヒントhint
• 手がかりてがかりclue
• 暗示あんじhint
• キーワードkey word
• 端緒たんしょstart
• よすがsomething to rely on
• とっかかりbeginning
• 鍵かぎkey (to a problem, success, etc.)
• 糸口いとぐちclue
• 小口こぐちbeginning
• キーkey (to solving something)