運動場
The English phrase "sports field" is translated into Japanese as 運動場.
運動場 is most commonly used in the context of school grounds or public municipal areas used for physical activity.
Meaning: flat area for sports (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 運動 (undō), meaning 'exercise' or 'movement' and 場 (jō), meaning 'place'.
Which one should you use?
While 運動場 is the native Japanese term, the katakana loanword グラウンド is very commonly used to refer to sports fields, especially in school and athletic contexts.
Did you know?
- The word 運動 (undō) is used not only for 'sports' but also for 'political movements' or 'social campaigns'. A person might describe a social cause as a 運動 in the same way they describe a lap around the 運動場.
- Even though it is a loanword, many Japanese people use グラウンド specifically to describe a dirt or sand-based field rather than a grass one.
- The term 運動場 is often used in the context of 運動会 (undōkai), the highly ritualized school sports days where the entire community gathers on the field for competitive events.
Examples in context
- 放課後に運動場へ行きます。Hōkago ni undōjō e ikimasu.I will go to the sports field after school.
- この運動場はとても広いです。Kono undōjō wa totemo hiroi desu.This sports field is very spacious.
- 運動場の掃除をしましょう。Undōjō no sōji o shimashō.Let's clean the sports field.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about where to meet for practice.
- 陽太 Yota美咲、どこで待っているの？Misaki, doko de matte iru no?Misaki, where are you waiting?
- 美咲 Misaki私は運動場にいるよ。Watashi wa undōjō ni iru yo.I am at the sports field.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。すぐに行くよ。Wakatta. Sugu ni iku yo.Got it. I'll be there soon.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太、急いでね。Yōta, isoide ne.Yōta, hurry up.
