ホラーゲーム
horā gēmu
The English phrase "horror game" is translated into Japanese as ホラーゲーム (horā gēmu).
This phrase refers to a video game designed to scare the player or create a feeling of fear.
Which one should you use?
The term ホラゲー is an informal, abbreviated version of the full phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
horā gēmu
Did you know?
- While ホラーゲーム is a modern loanword, Japan has a long tradition of 'ghost stories' called 怪談 ('kaidan') which heavily influence the themes and atmosphere of these games.
- Japanese horror often relies on the concept of 間 (ma), or 'negative space', using deliberate silence and stillness to build tension. This differs from many Western horror games that rely more heavily on constant auditory cues or jump scares.
- In Japanese gaming-specific slang, a game that is excessively scary or frustratingly difficult might be called a 鬼畜ゲーム, though this is much more intense than 'horror game'.
Examples in context
- このホラーゲームは本当に怖いです。Kono horā gēmu wa hontō ni kowai desu.This horror game is really scary.
- 昨夜、ホラーゲームをプレイしました。Sakuya, horā gēmu o purei shimashita.I played a horror game last night.
- ホラーゲームは苦手です。Horā gēmu wa nigate desu.I'm not good with horror games.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking about video games.
- 蓮 Ren美咲、ホラーゲームは好き？Misaki, horā gēmu wa suki?Misaki, do you like horror games?
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、怖すぎるから無理です。Iie, kowasugiru kara muri desu.No, they're too scary, so I can't do it.
- 蓮 Ren一緒にやれば怖くないよ。Issho ni yareba kowakunai yo.It's not scary if we play together.
- 美咲 Misakiそれでも絶対無理です！Sore demo zettai muri desu!Even so, absolutely not!
