ゲームをします
To say "i play video games" in Japanese, you say ゲームをします.
When specifically referring to playing digital or video games, using the katakana verb プレイする is also common.
What does it mean word for word?
ゲーム is a loanword from the English word "game". The particle を is an object marker that marks ゲーム as the direct object of the verb.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ゲームをします is the polite version of the phrase, suitable for most social situations. The dictionary form ゲームをする is the casual version used with friends or family.
Did you know?
- When talking about gaming, Japanese speakers often use the word 攻略 'kōryaku', which originally meant 'conquering a castle' or 'military strategy'.
- When talking about intense, long-duration gaming sessions, Japanese speakers might use the term 廃人 (haijin), which literally means 'invalid' or 'cripple' to describe an addict.
- The term ゲームオーバー 'game over' is used in Japanese not just in games, but as a slang expression to mean a situation has become hopeless in real life.
Examples in context
- 私はメタルギアをします。I play Metal Gear.
- 私はスーパーマリオをやるんだよ。I play Super Mario.
- 暇なときはゲームをします。hima na toki wa geemu o shimasu.I play video games when I'm free.
- 毎日、家でゲームをします。mainichi, ie de geemu o shimasu.I play video games at home every day.
- 週末はゲームをします。shuumatsu wa geemu o shimasu.I play video games on the weekends.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at school.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは、趣味は何ですか？Kenta-san wa, shumi wa nan desu ka?Kenta, what is your hobby?
- 健太 Kenta僕は、よくゲームをします。Boku wa, yoku geemu o shimasu.I often play video games.
- 陽葵 Himari私もゲームをします！Watashi mo geemu o shimasu!I play video games too!
- 健太 Kenta本当ですか？嬉しいです。Hontou desu ka? Ureshii desu.Really? I'm happy to hear that.
