ビデオゲームをする
bideo gēmu o suru
To play video games in Japanese, you use ビデオゲームをする (bideo gēmu o suru).
The phrase is used to describe the act of playing video games. In natural conversation, Japanese speakers often omit 'video' and simply say ゲームをする to mean playing video games. If you want to refer specifically to the hardware used to play video games, you use the word ゲーム機.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb やる means to do or play.
Which one should you use?
Additionally, ゲームをやる is an informal way to say play games.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a polite version, use ビデオゲームをします. To express the past tense informally, use ビデオゲームをした.
How do you pronounce it?
bideo gēmu o suru
Did you know?
- The word 遊び (asobi) means 'play' or 'recreation' in a general sense, but if you use it to say you are 'playing video games', you will sound like a small child. Stick to する (suru) or やる (yaru) to sound like an adult.
- While する (suru) is the standard verb for playing, the more blunt verb やる (yaru) is frequently used in gaming contexts to emphasize a competitive spirit or a desire to conquer a challenge.
- Because ゲーム is a loanword from English, it is written in カタカナ. In Japanese, this script is used not only for foreign words but also to give a modern or technical feel to a phrase, fitting for the digital nature of video games.
Examples in context
- 休みの時は、ビデオゲームをするのが好きです。I enjoy playing video games during my free time.
- 週末はいつもビデオゲームをする。Shuumatsu wa itsumo bideo geemu o suru.I always play video games on weekends.
- 家でビデオゲームをするのが好きです。Ie de bideo geemu o suru no ga suki desu.I like playing video games at home.
- 暇な時にビデオゲームをする。Hima na toki ni bideo geemu o suru.I play video games when I am free.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは、暇な時に何をしますか？Ren-san wa, hima na toki ni nani o shimasu ka?Ren, what do you do in your free time?
- 蓮 Ren僕はよくビデオゲームをするよ。Boku wa yoku bideo geemu o suru yo.I often play video games.
- 結衣 Yui私もビデオゲームをするのが大好きです！Watashi mo bideo geemu o suru no ga daisuki desu!I love playing video games too!
- 蓮 Renそれは嬉しいな。Sore wa ureshii na.I am happy to hear that.
