Japanese word

遊ぶ

Pronunciation

Romajiasobu

Meaning

  • verbplay

Example

毎日公園で遊びます。mai nichi kō en de aso bi ma su

I play at the park every day.

Illustration for 遊ぶ (play)

More examples

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.

Core concept

It describes stepping away from duties to enjoy an activity or relaxed time, whether alone or with others.

Common phrases

  • 一緒に遊ぶis sho ni aso bu

    play together

  • 友達と遊ぶtomo dachi to aso bu

    play with friends

  • 外で遊ぶsoto de aso bu

    play outside

Similar words

楽しむtanoshimu: To take pleasure in an activity or experience.

Definition in Japanese

仕事や勉強などから離れ、好きなことをして楽しい時間を過ごす。shi goto ya ben kyō na do ka ra hana re su ki na ko to o shi te tano shi i ji kan o su go su

Word origin

遊ぶ (asobu) is a native Japanese verb whose noun form 遊び (asobi) denotes an activity done for enjoyment rather than work or study.

Usage tips

  • 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 meanings

  • have funverb

Related words

  • 遊びasobiplaynoun
  • 遊び方asobikataway of playingnoun

Word lists with this word