トランプをする
toranpu o suru
To play cards in Japanese is トランプをする (toranpu o suru).
The phrase is used to describe engaging in a game using a standard deck of playing cards. If you want to specifically say you want to play poker, you can say pookaa o suru.
What does it mean word for word?
トランプ (toranpu) is a loanword from the English word 'trump' and is used specifically to refer to a deck of playing cards.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard polite way to say 'play cards' when speaking to acquaintances or superiors is トランプをします. An informal way to say 'to play with cards' is カードで遊ぶ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you played cards in the past, change the verb suru to the polite past form トランプをしました. To describe the action of playing cards currently in progress, use the continuous form トランプをしています.
How do you pronounce it?
toranpu o suru
Did you know?
- In Japan, playing cards for money was historically banned during the Edo period, which led to the creation of 花札 (hanafuda) as a way to disguise gambling as art.
- The term トランプ (toranpu) is a 'katakana' loanword, but it has undergone a semantic shift. In English, a 'trump' is a powerful card, but in Japanese, the word has lost its connection to the concept of a winning suit and simply means 'playing cards'.
- While トランプ (toranpu) refers to Western cards, Japan has its own traditional playing cards called 花札 (hanafuda) which feature floral designs instead of suits and numbers.
Examples in context
- トランプをするのは面白い。It is fun to play cards.This sentence is useful for expressing that playing cards is an interesting activity.Tatoeba #199709 by bunbuku, translation #36911 by CC
- トランプをするのは楽しい。It's fun to play cards.This sentence is useful for expressing that playing cards is a fun activity.Tatoeba #1250368 by bunbuku, translation #8865024 by CK
- 私たちは日曜日によくトランプをする。We often play cards on Sunday.This sentence is useful for describing a routine action of playing cards on Sundays.Tatoeba #165360 by arnab, translation #249145 by CK
- 社長とトランプをしますか？Do you play cards with the company president?
- お客様にはトランプをお楽しみいただいておりますOur guests are enjoying playing cards.
- 友達とカードをしましょう！Let's play cards with friends!
- 今日はカードで遊びましょう！Let's play with cards today!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are hanging out at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki暇だし、トランプをする？Hima dashi, torampu o suru?Since we have free time, shall we play cards?
- 健太 Kentaいいよ、やろう！Ii yo, yarou!Sure, let's do it!
- 美咲 Misaki健太、ルールを覚えてる？Kenta, ruuru o oboeteru?Kenta, do you remember the rules?
- 健太 Kentaもちろん、大丈夫だよ。Mochiron, daijoubu da yo.Of course, I'm fine.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
