ゲームをする
gēmu o suru
In Japanese, 'I play games' is expressed as ゲームをする (gēmu o suru).
This phrase is used to say that someone engages in playing video games or board games as a hobby. The word ゲーム (gēmu) is a general term for structured play, making this phrase suitable for both video games and board games.
Which one should you use?
Using the katakana verb for 'play' is common, especially when specifically referring to video games.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the tense or aspect of the phrase, you modify the verb. To express that you played games in the past, use the past tense form ゲームをした. To express that you are currently in the middle of playing or that you play games habitually, use the form ゲームをしています.
How do you pronounce it?
gēmu o suru
Did you know?
- In Japanese gaming culture, the phrase 神ゲー (kamigē) describes a 'god-tier game', while クソゲー (kusogē) refers to a 'piece of trash game'.
- When talking about playing a specific game like 'Chess' or 'Go', Japanese speakers often use the verb する (suru), but for more complex games, they might use verbs like 打つ (utsu) meaning 'to strike' specifically for games like Go or Mahjong.
- While ゲームをする covers general play, Japanese has a specific term ガチ勢 (gachizei) for 'hardcore gamers' who play with extreme seriousness.
Examples in context
- 休みの日はゲームをする。Yasumi no hi wa gēmu o suru.I play games on my days off.
- 毎日家でゲームをする。Mainichi ie de gēmu o suru.I play games at home every day.
- 暇な時にゲームをする。Hima na toki ni gēmu o suru.I play games when I have free time.
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking about their hobbies in the living room.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太は暇なとき、何をするの？Yōta wa hima na toki, nani o suru no?Yōta, what do you do when you're free?
- 陽太 Yota僕はだいたいゲームをするよ。Boku wa daitai gēmu o suru yo.I usually play games.
- 陽葵 Himariいいな。私も一緒にやりたいな。Ii na. Watashi mo issho ni yaritai na.That's nice. I want to play too.
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。一緒にゲームをしよう！Ii yo. Issho ni gēmu o shiyō!Sure. Let's play games together!
