invalid syntax points to "return" in python

Question

I am just exploring the vast language of python. I'm heavily relying on the inbuilt error-decetion and googling to debug my programs. I had no luck this time around. Thank you for your time!

I am getting

"invalid syntax at line 5"

Here is my python-code of a simple HANGMAN-game:

import random

def __secretword__():
    secret_word = word_list[random.randomint(len(word_list))
    return secret_word #THIS IS LINE 5

def __ask__():
    ans = input("Would you like to play more? (yes/no): ")
    if ans == "yes"
        __secretword__()
    else:
        print(":(")


__secretword__()

word_list = ["nei", "brun", "ja", "smile", "glad", "gal"]
secret_word = secret_word
sw_list = list(secret_word)
guess_lines = ["_"] * len(secret_word)
mistakes = []
lives = 2 * len(secret_word)

print(guess_lines)

user_guess = input("Guess a letter: ")

while(lives != 0)   
    if user_guess in sw_list:
        i = sw_list.index(user_guess)
        del guess_lines[i]
        guess_lines.insert(i, user_guess)
        print(guess_lines)
        print("Lives: ", lives)
        print("Mistakes: ", mistakes)
        if "_" not in guess_lines:
            break
    else:
        mistakes.append(user_guess)
        print(guess_lines)
        lives = lives - 1
        print("Lives: ", lives)
        print(mistakes)

__ask__()

Solution

Your problem is that the line before return is missing its closing square bracket ]. So Python thinks you're still inside the brackets when you get to line 5, and placing return inside brackets is a syntax error.

This is a fairly common problem - if you get a syntax error on a line that looks fine, it's often worthwhile to look at the previous line, and see if your line might be being considered part of that.

Comments

[Cuber]

Try defining word_list before the function __secretword__

[DYZ]

You are missing a closing bracket in word_list[random.randomint(len(word_list)). Incidentally, if the error is on line 5, do not post the remaining irrelevant lines.

[Charles Duffy]

BTW, we ask that questions around code have a minimal reproducible example -- the smallest possible self-contained code that produces the same problem when someone else invokes it. This is much, much larger than what you need to produce the question you're asking about.

[Code-Apprentice]

Whenever you cannot see an error on the line which is indicated in the error message, you should look at the previous line.

[ifconfig]

Also, on line 10, when you call the function, the return has nowhere to go. Try assigning it to a variable.

[Hung Trinh]

DYZ and Cuber - Thanks! I didn´t see that

[ifconfig]

There are more small issues... Look around at it.

[Matthias Fripp]

Yes, but this is why the code is giving "syntax error at line 5" (with a return), which is what the question asked about. Line 10 would be fine (and common) in interactive use, and if anything it constitutes a logical error which could be debugged easily, not a syntax error.

[Hung Trinh]

Yes, I am debugging the whole thing right now. There are many small issues:) Thanks for the heads up ifconfig.