riddle

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The kun reading is なぞ. It has 17 strokes and relates to a riddle or unresolved mystery.
• Basic usage: 謎 is read なぞ, and 謎解き is read なぞとき.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 謎 and 謎解き
  • 謎 means mystery or riddle. It is a noun read なぞ for a riddle or an unresolved mystery itself.
  • 探偵は鍵のない部屋の謎を解いた。 means “The detective solved the mystery of the room with no key.”
  • 謎解き means puzzle solving. It refers to the activity of finding an answer to a puzzle or solving the truth of a mystery.
  • 友達と協力して脱出ゲームの謎解きに挑戦した。 means “I worked with a friend to solve the puzzles in an escape room.”