ラグビー
ragubī[ɾa̠ɡɯ̟bʲiː]
The Japanese word for rugby is ラグビー (ragubī).
ラグビー is used to refer to the form of football played with an ovoid ball.
Meaning: form of football in which players can hold or kick an ovoid ball (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ラグビー is the standard term, ラグビーフットボール serves as a more formal way to say rugby football. Additionally, if you are referring specifically to the equipment, the term for a rugby ball is ラグビーボール.
How do you pronounce it?
ragubī
Did you know?
- The Japanese national team is nicknamed the 'Brave Blossoms', a name that blends the English word 'brave' with the Japanese cultural symbol of the cherry blossom.
- In Japan, rugby is sometimes jokingly called 'the sport of the elite' because it was historically dominated by prestigious universities.
- In Japanese sports culture, ラグビー is often associated with the concept of 'spirit' and is heavily promoted in universities as a way to build character and discipline.
Examples in context
- ラグビーは好き？Do you like rugby?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes ラグビー.Tatoeba #11467330 by bunbuku, translation #6358094 by CK
- 彼はラグビーが得意だ。He is good at rugby.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is good at ラグビー.Tatoeba #110358 by bunbuku, translation #293329 by CK
- 彼はラグビー選手だった。He was a rugby player.This sentence is useful for mentioning that someone was a ラグビー player.Tatoeba #110357 by bunbuku, translation #293330 by CK
- 明日はラグビーの試合があるよ。There's a rugby match tomorrow.
- 彼はラグビーが大好きだ。He really loves rugby.
- ラグビーワールドカップは日本で開催された。The Rugby World Cup was held in Japan.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are talking about their school clubs.
- 陽太 Yota僕はラグビー部に入ったよ。Boku wa ragubī-bu ni haitta yo.I joined the rugby club.
- 結衣 Yuiラグビーは激しいスポーツだよね。Ragubī wa hageshii supōtsu da yo ne.Rugby is a fierce sport, isn't it?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、でもすごく楽しいよ。Un, demo sugoku tanoshii yo.Yeah, but it's really fun.
- 結衣 Yui今度、試合を見に行くね。Kondo, shiai o mi ni iku ne.I'll go watch a game sometime.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rugby” translations and entries ラグビー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
