Japanese word

球

Pronunciation

Romajitama

Meaning

  • nounball

Example

その球は赤いです。so no tama wa aka i de su

That ball is red.

Illustration for 球 (ball)

More examples

子どもたちは公園で球を転がして遊びました。ko do mo ta chi wa kō en de tama o koro ga shi te aso bi ma shi ta

The children played by rolling a ball in the park.

Core concept

Presents a rounded three-dimensional object as a distinct unit, whether it is used in play or described in geometry.

Common phrases

  • 球を打つtama o u tsu

    hit a ball

  • 球を捕るtama o to ru

    catch a ball

  • 球を投げるtama o na ge ru

    throw a ball

  • 球を転がすtama o koro ga su

    roll a ball

  • 球を弾ませるtama o hazu ma se ru

    bounce a ball

Similar words

ボールbōru: A rounded object used for sports, games, or play in common everyday language.
玉tama: A round object, often small, considered as one separate item.

Definition in Japanese

表面全体が中心からほぼ等しい距離にある、丸い立体物。球形の競技用具にもいう。hyō men zen tai ga chū shin ka ra ho bo hito shi i kyo ri ni a ru maru i rit tai butsu kyū kei no kyō gi yō gu ni mo i u

Word origin

The character 球 (kyū, "ball") has 玉 (gyoku, "jewel") as a semantic element and 求 (kyū, "seek") as a phonetic element; the native Japanese noun 球 (tama) is written with it.

Usage tips

  • The noun 球 (tama) sounds more formal than ボール (bōru) in everyday Japanese when speakers refer to sports equipment.

Other meanings

  • spherenoun

Related words

  • 球体kyūtaispherenoun
  • 球形kyūkeispherical shapenoun

Word lists with this word