ソフトボール
sofutobōru[so̞ɸɯ̟̊to̞bo̞ːɾɯ̟]
The English word "softball" is translated into Japanese as ソフトボール (sofutobōru). Wiktionary also lists 塁球 (ruikyū).
Meaning: game (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ソフトボール | sofutobōru | [so̞ɸɯ̟̊to̞bo̞ːɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 塁球 | ruikyū | [ɾɯ̟ikʲɨː] (narrow) |
The term refers to the game of softball. In a school context, the word is often appended with 部 (bu) to refer to the softball club or team, as in ソフトボール部.
How do you pronounce it?
sofutobōru
Did you know?
- In Japanese schools, ソフトボール部 is often more common for girls than 'baseball' clubs, as softball was traditionally positioned as the feminine alternative to the male-dominated world of 野球 'baseball'.
- The character 塁 in 塁球 originally referred to a 'rampart' or 'fortification' before it was adapted to mean a 'base' in sports.
- Because the Japanese language lacks a standalone 'ft' sound, the English word 'softball' is expanded into five distinct rhythmic beats in ソフトボール.
Examples in context
- ソフトボールの仕方って分かる？Do you know how to play softball?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows how to play ソフトボール.Tatoeba #9540354 by small_snow, translation #9540351 by ChurroC
- ソフトボールの試合が近日開催されます。The softball game will be held soon.
- ソフトボールは楽しいです。Sofutorubōru wa tanoshii desu.Softball is fun.
- 放課後にソフトボールをします。Hōkago ni sofutorubōru o shimasu.I play softball after school.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about school clubs.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんは、何の部活をしているの？Himari-san wa, nan no bukatsu o shite iru no?Himari, what club are you in?
- 陽葵 Himariソフトボール部だよ。Sofutorubōru-bu da yo.I'm in the softball club.
- 健太 Kentaへえ、ソフトボールはかっこいいね！Hee, sofutorubōru wa kakkoii ne!Wow, softball is cool!
- 陽葵 Himari健太くんも一緒にやる？Kenta-kun mo issho ni yaru?Do you want to join us, Kenta?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “softball” translations and entries ソフトボール, 塁球, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
