How do you say "zero" in Japanese?

In Japanese, "zero" is ゼロ (zero). It is a adjective.

Listen to the pronunciation:

Pronunciation

ゼロ is written in katakana. Romanised as zero, it sounds roughly like "zeh-roh" to an English ear.

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Questions about ゼロ

How do you pronounce ゼロ?

ゼロ is romanised as zero. Say it roughly like "zeh-roh" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is ゼロ formal or casual?

ゼロ is a na-adjective or noun-adjective. It is neutral in register and fits naturally in both casual and polite sentences. Add na before a noun, or use desu for a polite predicate.

How is ゼロ written in Japanese?

ゼロ is written using katakana. Katakana is typically used for words of foreign origin or to give emphasis.

This word is part of the vocabulary taught in the Japanese language learning game Noun Town, where words are introduced through play rather than memorisation.