ゲーム
gēmu[ɡe̞ːmɯ̟]
The Japanese word for "gaming" is ゲーム (gēmu).
ゲーム is a noun used to refer to games. When you want to describe someone's relationship to games, you can use ゲーム好きな to mean "game-loving". If you are discussing the act of playing, you can use the verb phrases ゲームをする or the more informal ゲームする to mean "to play games". Additionally, the borrowed English term ゲーミング is used in informal conversations to refer to gaming.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
gēmu
Did you know?
- Gaming culture in Japan has a specific term, 廃ゲーマー ('haigēmā'), which refers to a 'ruined gamer' who has spent so much time playing that they have neglected their real life.
- Japanese gaming culture uses the term ガチャ ('gacha'), derived from the sound of a cranking handle, to describe the 'loot box' or randomized reward mechanics in many games.
- The phrase ゲームオーバー ('gēmu-ōbā') is used colloquially in Japanese to describe a situation in real life that has reached a point of inevitable failure or a dead end.
Examples in context
- 発表されていないゲーム機のうわさが立つのはよくあることです。Rumors about unannounced gaming consoles are common.This sentence shows how to use ゲーム when discussing rumors about gaming consoles.Tatoeba #11029455 by small_snow, translation #11694728 by pip
- お気に入りのゲームは何ですか？What is your favorite game?
- おすすめのゲームはありますか？Do you have any recommended games?
- 最近は、スマホでのゲームがとても流行っています。Saikin wa, sumaho de no geemu ga totemo hayatte imasu.Recently, gaming on smartphones has become very popular.
- 週末は家でゲームをすることにしています。Shuumatsu wa ie de geemu o suru koto ni shite imasu.I make it a point to do some gaming at home on weekends.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about their hobbies.
- 結衣 Yui健太は暇な時に何をしますか？Kenta wa hima na toki ni nani o shimasu ka?What do you do in your free time, Kenta?
- 健太 Kentaだいたいゲームをしています。daitai gēmu o shite imasu.I'm usually gaming.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね。おすすめのゲームはありますか？ii desu ne. osusume no gēmu wa arimasu ka?That's nice. Do you have any gaming recommendations?
- 健太 Kenta今度、結衣に教えますね。kondo, Yui ni oshiemasu ne.I'll tell you soon, Yui.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ゲーム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
