How to say "puzzle" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 謎なぞnounCovers 'puzzle' in the sense of an enigma or mystery — something baffling that is not yet understood. Typical contexts include unsolved cases and questions no one has managed to answer.
- nounThe loanword for 'puzzle' as a game or recreational problem to be worked out, such as a jigsaw or crossword. Choose it whenever 'puzzle' means something you solve for fun.
- 惑わすまどわすgodan verb, transitive verbA verb meaning to puzzle, perplex, or bewilder someone, with a nuance of deluding or misleading them. It suits situations where a person is led astray by something deceptive, not merely left curious.
- 迷わすまよわすgodan verb, transitive verbA verb meaning to puzzle, perplex, or bewilder someone, closely matching 惑わす in sense, including the nuance of deluding. Use it when someone is left confused or misled.
- nounCovers 'puzzle' in the sense of a riddle — a playful question whose answer must be guessed. It refers to riddles posed as a game for amusement, overlapping with 謎 but more specific.
For the noun, 「パズル」 is the word for puzzles as games or problems to solve, 「なぞなぞ」 for riddles posed as games, and 謎 for baffling mysteries; the verbs 「惑わす」 and 「迷わす」 mean to puzzle someone.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
