零 represents zero. Meet it in temperatures, decimals and counts, then practise reading it in context.
The idea
零 has 13 strokes and its on-reading is れい. 零度 is れいど; 零点五 is れいてんご. Follow the linked diagram to practise stroke order.
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 零 | れい | zero |
| 零度 | れいど | zero degrees |
| 零点五 | れいてんご | 0.5 |
Examples
- 気温が零度を下回りました。The temperature fell below zero degrees.
- 今、外は零度です。It is zero degrees outside now.
- 確率は零点五パーセントです。The probability is 0.5 percent.
- 応募の数は零でした。There were no applicants.
- 零から数え始めてください。Please start counting from zero.
- 答えは零です。The answer is zero.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
ゼロ is also commonly used for zero; do not assume every written zero must be 零. In decimals, 点 marks the decimal point.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 零度 in hiragana.
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れいど
零度 is れいど: 零 is れい and 度 is ど. It means zero degrees.
Write 0.5 in hiragana as read in 零点五.
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れいてんご
零点五 is れいてんご: 点 marks the decimal point and 五 is ご, giving 0.5.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿度（れいど）［零／雨］.
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零
零 completes 零度, zero degrees. 雨 is the top component of 零 but cannot replace the whole character.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 零度 in hiragana.
Write 0.5 in hiragana as read in 零点五.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿度（れいど）［零／雨］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 零 using the diagram, then cover the table and read 零度 and 零点五 aloud. Make a sentence with one.