Japanese dictionary
How to say "play" in Japanese
遊ぶあそぶ · asobu
"Play" depends on what you play. To have fun is 遊ぶ (asobu). Sports and games use する: テニスをする. Instruments like piano use 弾く (hiku).
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Ways to say "play" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 遊ぶあそぶ · asobu | To play (have fun). |
| 〜をする〜をする · o suru | To play (a sport or game). |
| 弾くひく · hiku | To play (piano, guitar). |
| 劇げき · geki | Play (theater). |
How to use it
Adults rarely use 遊ぶ for sports. It means hanging out or having fun.
A stage play is 劇 (geki) or 芝居 (shibai).
Example sentences
- 子どもたちが公園で遊んでいます。Kodomotachi ga kōen de asonde imasu.The kids are playing in the park.
- 週末にテニスをします。Shūmatsu ni tenisu o shimasu.I play tennis on weekends.
- ギターを弾きます。Gitā o hikimasu.I play the guitar.
- 今度うちに遊びに来てください。Kondo uchi ni asobi ni kite kudasai.Come visit us sometime.
- 学校で劇をしました。Gakkō de geki o shimashita.We put on a play at school.
- 友だちとゲームをしました。Tomodachi to gēmu o shimashita.I played games with friends.
Questions
What does 遊びに来てください mean?
It means "Come visit us," literally "come to play." Adults use 遊ぶ for visiting and hanging out.
Which verb do you use for playing instruments?
Use 弾く (hiku) for piano and strings, 吹く (fuku) for wind instruments and たたく (tataku) for drums.
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