Japanese word

碁

Pronunciation

Romajigo

Meaning

  • noungo

Example

碁を打ちます。go o u chi ma su

I play go.

Illustration for 碁 (go)

More examples

祖父は孫に碁の基本を教えています。so fu wa mago ni go no ki hon o oshi e te i ma su

My grandfather is teaching his grandchild the basics of go.

Core concept

Centers on surrounding open space with stones while limiting the opponent's ability to do the same.

Common phrases

  • 碁を打つgo o u tsu

    play go

  • 碁を囲むgo o kako mu

    play go

  • 碁の相手go no ai te

    opponent in go

Similar words

囲碁igo: The standard formal term for a board game played by placing black and white stones on a grid.

Definition in Japanese

盤上に黒白の石を交互に置き、石で囲んだ陣地の広さを競う遊戯。ban jō ni kuro shiro no ishi o kō go ni o ki ishi de kako n da jin chi no hiro sa o kiso u yū gi

Word origin

碁 (go, "board game") is a Sino-Japanese noun with the on'yomi reading go, and its established character meaning is a board game played with stones; the longer form is 囲碁 (igo, "board game").

Usage tips

  • A standard go board has a 19-by-19 grid, while smaller boards are often used for teaching and shorter games.

Word lists with this word