キャッチボールをする
kyatchibōru o suru
To play catch in Japanese is キャッチボールをする (kyatchibōru o suru).
This phrase is used specifically for the activity of throwing a ball back and forth, often used in the context of baseball practice or warming up.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a loanword from English, combining 'catch' and 'ball' into a single noun キャッチボール.
Which one should you use?
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often omit the verb 'suru' and simply say キャッチボール to refer to the activity.
How do you pronounce it?
kyatchibōru o suru
Did you know?
- In Japanese business and diplomacy, キャッチボール is used as a metaphor for a productive back-and-forth exchange of ideas or a smooth conversation between two parties.
- The phrase キャッチボール is a 'Wasei-eigo' word, meaning it is English-sounding Japanese created in Japan and would likely be misunderstood by a native English speaker as a literal ball.
- In Japanese social contexts, suggesting キャッチボール is often seen as a low-pressure way to bond or build rapport without the competitiveness of a real match.
Examples in context
- キャッチボールをするなよ。Don't play catch.This sentence is useful for expressing a command not to play catch using the form キャッチボールをする.Tatoeba #225843 by bunbuku, translation #63181 by CK
- 社員同士でキャッチボールをしましょう。Let's play catch among colleagues.
- 明日、公園でキャッチボールする？Wanna play catch at the park tomorrow?
- 公園でキャッチボールをする。Kōen de kyatchibōru o suru.To play catch in the park.
- 犬とキャッチボールをするのが好きです。Inu to kyatchibōru o suru no ga suki desu.I like playing catch with my dog.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are at a park on a sunny afternoon.
- 蓮 Ren美咲、一緒にキャッチボールをする？Misaki, issho ni kyatchibōru o suru?Misaki, do you want to play catch together?
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ！ボールはどこ？Ii yo! Bōru wa doko?Sure! Where is the ball?
- 蓮 Renあそこにあるよ。Asoko ni aru yo.It's over there.
- 美咲 Misakiわかった、準備するね。Wakatta, junbi suru ne.Okay, I'll get ready.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
