Japanese word

パチンコ

Pronunciation

Romajipachinko

Meaning

  • nounpachinko

Example

姉は時々パチンコをします。ane wa toki doki pa chi n ko o shi ma su

My older sister sometimes plays pachinko.

Illustration for パチンコ (pachinko)

More examples

私はパチンコについて、友達といろいろ話しました。watashi wa pa chi n ko ni tsu i te tomo dachi to i ro i ro hana shi ma shi ta

I talked with my friends about various things related to pachinko.

Core concept

Refers to a Japanese arcade game where the path of launched metal balls controls the player's score or prize.

Common phrases

  • パチンコをするpa chi n ko o su ru

    play pachinko

  • パチンコを打つpa chi n ko o u tsu

    play pachinko

  • パチンコ店pa chi n ko mise

    pachinko parlor

  • パチンコ台pa chi n ko dai

    pachinko machine

Definition in Japanese

金属製の玉を機械の盤面に打ち出し、玉の入り方に応じて得点や景品を得る遊技。kin zoku sei no tama o ki kai no ban men ni u chi da shi tama no hai ri kata ni ō ji te toku ten ya kei hin o e ru yū gi

Word origin

The term is a Japanese coinage based on パチン (pachin, "a sharp clicking sound"), an imitation of the noise made by the machine and its metal balls.

Usage tips

  • In English, Pachinko remains in Japanese form as the title of a well-known novel by Min Jin Lee and the television series based on it.

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