English–Japanese
“play” in Japanese
How to say “play” in Japanese
“Play” in Japanese is 遊ぶ (asobu).
It describes stepping away from duties to enjoy an activity or relaxed time, whether alone or with others.
Example sentences with 遊ぶ
公園で友だちと遊びます。kō en de tomo da chi to aso bi ma su
I play with my friends at the park.
週末は家族と遊びました。shū matsu wa ka zoku to aso bi ma shi ta
I played with my family over the weekend.
Tips for using 遊ぶ
- The phrase 遊びに行く (asobi ni iku) usually means going out for fun or to hang out, even when no game or sport is involved.
Other Japanese words for “play”
来月、新しい劇を見に行きます。rai getsu atara shi i geki o mi ni i ki ma su
I am going to see a new play next month.
私は毎晩ピアノを弾きます。watashi wa mai ban pi a no o hi ki ma su
I play the piano every night.
学校で芝居を見ました。gak kō de shiba i o mi ma shi ta
I watched a play at school.
私は劇で王様を演じます。watashi wa geki de ō sama o en ji ma su
I play a king in a play.
先生は戯曲を読んでいます。sen sei wa gi kyoku o yo n de i ma su
The teacher is reading a play.
彼のプレイはとても上手です。kare no pu re i wa to te mo jō zu de su
His play is very skillful.
この遊びは簡単です。ko no aso bi wa kan tan de su
This game is easy.