デート
dēto[de̞ːto̞]
The Japanese word for "date" is デート (dēto).
デート refers specifically to a romantic outing between lovers or people who are interested in each other. It is not used for business meetings or casual hangouts with friends.
Meaning: point in time (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of going on a date, use the verb する to form デートをする.
How do you pronounce it?
dēto
Did you know?
- When a couple goes on a デート, the act of 'confessing' romantic feelings, called 告白 (kokuhaku), often serves as the official start of their dating relationship.
- In Japan, a 'group date' is called 合コン (goukon), a portmanteau of 'group' and 'meeting' that often involves a formal matchmaking element.
- If you want to invite someone on a date without the heavy romantic weight of デート, you might suggest 遊びに行く (asobi ni iku), which literally means 'to go play'.
Examples in context
- デートしませんか？Will you go on a date with me?This sentence is useful for inviting someone on a date using デート.Tatoeba #10736122 by small_snow, translation #3052930 by Hybrid
- これってデートなの？Is this a date?This sentence is useful for asking if a specific event is a デート.Tatoeba #8716598 by bunbuku, translation #3385960 by Hybrid
- デートしたことある？Have you ever gone on a date?This sentence is useful for asking about past experiences with a デート.Tatoeba #10958217 by small_snow, translation #10958221 by CK
- 私たちはデートをしています。We are dating.
- 今度デートしようね！Let's go on a date next time!
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- 美咲 Misaki今週の土曜日にデートしましょう。Konshū no doyōbi ni dēto shimashō.Let's go on a date this Saturday.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですね。どこに行きますか？Ii desu ne. Doko ni ikimasu ka?That sounds good. Where shall we go?
- 美咲 Misaki新しい映画を観に行きたいです。Atarashii eiga o mi ni ikitai desu.I want to go see a new movie.
- 大翔 Hiroto楽しみなデートになりますね。Tanoshimi na dēto ni narimasu ne.It's going to be an exciting date.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry デート, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
