How to Say "Minecraft" in Japanese

マインクラフト

Mainkurafuto[ma̠ĩŋkɯ̟ɾa̠ɸɯ̟̊to̞]

In Japanese, the name of the game Minecraft is written as マインクラフト (Mainkurafuto). Wiktionary also lists マイクラ (Maikura).

Meaning: the game Minecraft (name)

Ways to say it

“minecraft” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
マインクラフト	Mainkurafuto	[ma̠ĩŋkɯ̟ɾa̠ɸɯ̟̊to̞] (narrow)
マイクラ	Maikura	[ma̠ikɯ̟ɾa̠] (narrow)

The phrase refers to the popular video game Minecraft.

マインクラフト is the full name, while マイクラ is a common abbreviated version used frequently by the gaming community and in casual conversation.

マインクラフト is the formal, official name suitable for news, official documentation or formal contexts. マイクラ is an informal, shortened form.

Mainkurafuto

The word マイン in マインクラフト can be confused with the Japanese word for 'mine' used in landmines, which is also written as マイン.
The abbreviation マイクラ follows a common Japanese linguistic pattern called 'ryakugo' where long loanwords are sliced into four syllables.
Some Japanese players use the term マイクラ勢 to describe someone who is a 'Minecraft person' or a dedicated fan of the game.

マインクラフトは長年世界中から愛される定番ゲームです。
Minecraft has been a universally loved game for years.
This sentence shows how to use マインクラフト when describing the game's popularity.
Tatoeba #9595542 by Sim5634, translation #9993220 by tsp_2
マイクラをちょこっとプレイしたいならハードコアモードが最適。
If you want to play Minecraft just a bit, then Hardcore mode is the best choice.
This sentence shows how to use the abbreviated form マイクラ in a casual context.
Tatoeba #9671641 by Sim5634, translation #10765309 by end
マインクラフトが平面という理由で地球も平面だと言うのはダメなんです！
Just because Minecraft is flat doesn’t mean that the Earth is flat too!
This sentence demonstrates the use of マインクラフト when making a comparison.
Tatoeba #6797945 by Ishao, translation #6798389 by Ishao
マインクラフトはとても人気のあるゲームです。
Minecraft is a very popular game.
友達とマイクラで一緒に冒険するのが楽しいです。
It's fun to go on adventures with friends in Minecraft.
マイクラが好きな人ってクリエイティブな発想力があるんだと思う。
I think people who like Minecraft have a creative mindset.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are talking about what to play on the weekend.

大翔 Hiroto

今週末、マインクラフトを一緒にやらない？
Konshūmatsu, Mainkurafuto o issho ni yaranai?
Do you want to play Minecraft together this weekend?
結衣 Yui

いいよ！何か作りたいものがあるの？
Ii yo! Nanika tsukuritai mono ga aru no?
Sure! Is there something you want to build?
大翔 Hiroto

うん、大きな城を作りたいんだ。
Un, ōkina shiro o tsukuritai nda.
Yeah, I want to build a huge castle.
結衣 Yui

いいね。マインクラフトで挑戦してみよう！
Ii ne. Mainkurafuto de chōsen shite miyō!
That sounds great. Let's try it in Minecraft!

Sources

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