数字（すうじ、suuji）
- number

The Japanese word 数字, pronounced すうじ (sūji), means "number" or "digit". It refers to numerical figures used in mathematics, counting, measurement, and various other contexts. It encompasses single digits (0-9) and combinations of these digits to form larger numbers. The word can refer to the symbols themselves (1, 2, 3...) or the concept of a number.

⚫︎ このレポートには、たくさんの数字が入っています。 Translation: This report contains a lot of numbers. ⚫︎ 電話番号を教えてください。 Translation: Please tell me your phone number. (which contains several [数字]) ⚫︎ 試験の数字が良かった。 Translation: The numbers on the exam were good.

You use 数字 in situations where you are talking about numbers in any context. This can include: ⚫︎Referring to quantities (e.g., "three apples" - りんごが三つ) ⚫︎Discussing calculations or mathematics. ⚫︎Identifying things like phone numbers, dates, or addresses. ⚫︎Presenting statistics or data. ⚫︎Referring to grades or scores. The context usually makes it clear whether you are talking about the symbol itself or the numerical value it represents.

数字 is typically written in kanji: 数字. The reading is すうじ in hiragana. There is no katakana version. The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is always 字.

⚫︎ 数 (kazu) - This is a more general term for "number" or "amount." It can also mean "count." ⚫︎ 数詞 (sūshi) - This term specifically refers to "numeral" or "number word". ⚫︎ 桁 (keta) - Refers to the "digit" or "place value" within a number.

There aren't direct antonyms for 数字 in the same way as you'd have for words like "hot" and "cold." However, words that express the absence of numbers or a lack of quantification can be considered related: ⚫︎ 無 (mu) or 無し (nashi) - meaning "nothing" or "none." ⚫︎ 少数 (shōsū) - meaning "few" ⚫︎ Qualitative descriptions are often contrasted with [数字], e.g., "beautiful" instead of "10"

この問題の答えは、数字で書いてください。 ・Translation: Please write the answer to this question in numbers. ・Explanation: This sentence instructs someone to write their answer numerically, using [数字] instead of writing out the words for the numbers.

試験の結果は、数字で発表されました。 ・Translation: The test results were announced in numbers. ・Explanation: This sentence indicates that the test results were presented using scores or grades rather than descriptive feedback.

The word 数字 is a compound word formed from two kanji: ⚫︎ 数 (sū) - meaning "number," "count," or "quantity." ⚫︎ 字 (ji) - meaning "character," "letter," or "symbol." Therefore, 数字 literally means "number characters" or "number symbols," reflecting how numbers are represented in written form.