ゲームをする
gēmu o suru
To play a game in Japanese is ゲームをする (gēmu o suru).
This phrase is used to describe engaging in a competitive or recreational activity, such as a board game, a video game or sports-like competitions. The word ゲーム is a versatile loanword that covers many types of games.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the loanword ゲーム (game) and the verb する (to do).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The dictionary form ゲームをする is used in casual conversation, when speaking to friends or when speaking to oneself. For standard polite situations, such as speaking to strangers or superiors, use ゲームをします. The form ゲームをやる is also commonly used in casual, informal conversations.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action in the past tense politely, use ゲームをしました. To describe an ongoing action, such as 'is playing a game', use the continuous form ゲームをしています.
How do you pronounce it?
gēmu o suru
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific word 攻略 (kōryaku) for 'playing a game' with the intent to master it or find all secrets, a term originally used for military conquest.
- While ゲームをする is common for games, Japanese speakers use the verb 遊ぶ (asobu) to describe 'playing' with friends or children, even if no specific 'game' is being played.
- In Japanese, the word ゲーム is so heavily associated with digital software that if you ask for a ゲーム in a toy shop, the staff may point you toward the video game section first.
Examples in context
- スーパーマリオをするTo play Super Mario
- 友達とゲームをする。Tomodachi to gēmu o suru.I play a game with my friend.
- 週末は家でゲームをする予定です。Shūmatsu wa ie de gēmu o suru yotei desu.I plan to play a game at home this weekend.
- 一緒にゲームをする？Issho ni gēmu o suru?Do you want to play a game together?
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are relaxing at home.
- 蓮 Ren美咲、今からゲームをする？Misaki, ima kara gēmu o suru?Misaki, do you want to play a game now?
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ！何をする？Ii yo! Nani o suru?Sure! What shall we play?
- 蓮 Renこの新しいボードゲームをしよう。Kono atarashii bōdo gēmu o shiyō.Let's play this new board game.
- 美咲 Misakiわかった。準備するね。Wakatta. Junbi suru ne.Got it. I'll get it ready.
