游戏
The English word 'game' is translated into Mandarin as 游戏.
游戏 refers to an activity described by a set of rules, especially for the purpose of entertainment. While it can mean any game, in modern contexts it is most frequently used to refer to video games. For specifically electronic games, the term 电子游戏 is used.
Meaning: activity described by a set of rules, especially for the purpose of entertainment (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 游戏 consists of 游 (to swim/wander) and 戏 (play/drama/theatre).
Which one should you use?
Use 游戏 for the general concept of a game or play, but use 比赛 when referring to a specific competitive match or tournament.
Did you know?
- In internet slang, the phrase 玩游戏 ('playing a game') can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is being manipulative or insincere in a relationship.
- Chinese gaming culture uses the term 氪金 ('paying gold') to describe the act of spending real money in a 游戏 to get better items.
- The character 戏 in 游戏 is also used to mean 'opera' or 'theatre' in Mandarin. This reflects a cultural history where play and dramatic performance were viewed as the same activity.
Examples in context
- 游戏几点开始？When does the game begin?This sentence uses 游戏 to ask about the start time of a game.Tatoeba #2109227 by sadhen, translation #2166230 by faraway9911
- 这游戏太棒了！What a game!This sentence uses 游戏 to express enthusiasm about a game.Tatoeba #13285176 by Ayer, translation #8910143 by CK
- 告诉我怎么玩游戏。Tell me how to play the game.This sentence uses 游戏 to ask for instructions on how to play a game.Tatoeba #4760093 by ryanwoo, translation #50509 by CM
- 我喜欢玩电子游戏。I like playing video games.
- 周末我们去朋友家一起打游戏吧！Let's go to our friend's place this weekend and play games together!
- 这个新游戏很好玩，你要不要试试？This new game is fun, do you want to give it a try?
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is discussing a new computer game at home.
- 雨婷 Yuting你想玩这个游戏吗？nǐ xiǎng wán zhè ge yóu xì ma?Do you want to play this game?
- 志强 Zhiqiang好啊，我们开始吧。hǎo a, wǒ men kāi shǐ ba.Sure, let's start.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，这个游戏很有趣。hào rán, zhè ge yóu xì hěn yǒu qù.Haoran, this game is very interesting.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也觉得这个游戏不错。wǒ yě jué de zhè ge yóu xì bú cuò.I also think this game is quite good.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
