Japanese word

ゲーム

Pronunciation

Romajigēmu

Meaning

  • noungame

Example

これはゲームです。ko re wa gē mu de su

This is a game.

Illustration for ゲーム (game)

More examples

友だちとゲームをします。tomo da chi to gē mu o shi ma su

I play games with my friends.

週末は友達とゲームをします。shū matsu wa tomo dachi to gē mu o shi ma su

I play games with my friends on weekends.

Core concept

Describes an activity with rules or goals that people take part in for enjoyment, skill, or competition.

Common phrases

  • ゲームをするgē mu o su ru

    play a game

  • ゲームに勝つgē mu ni ka tsu

    win a game

  • ゲームに負けるgē mu ni ma ke ru

    lose a game

Similar words

遊びasobi: An activity done for enjoyment, without the serious purpose of work.
試合shiai: A contest between people or teams that follows rules and has a result.

Definition in Japanese

一定の規則や目的に従って、楽しみや競争のために行う遊びや競技。it tei no ki soku ya moku teki ni shitaga tte tano shi mi ya kyō sō no ta me ni okona u aso bi ya kyō gi

Word origin

ゲーム (gēmu) is a Japanese borrowing of English "game", which comes through Middle English from Old English gamen, meaning "joy" or "amusement".

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses ゲーム (gēmu) for video games as well as board games and sports, so its range is close to the broad English word "game".

Word lists with this word