ねずみ算
Japanese
editKanji in this term |
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算 |
さん > ざん Grade: 2 |
on'yomi |
Alternative forms
editEtymology
editCompound of ねずみ (nezumi, “mouse”) + 算 (san, “mathematics”). The san changes to zan as an instance of rendaku (連濁). Derives from a common word problem in Japan which states that "In January, there is a pair of mice. They copulate and bear twelve children. The next month, 7 pairs of mice copulate and bear twelve children respectively. How many mice are there in December?"
Pronunciation
editNoun
editDerived terms
edit- ねずみ算式に増える (nezumizan-shiki ni fueru)