イカゲーム
ika gēmu
イカゲーム (ika gēmu) is the Japanese way to say "squid game", referring to the South Korean television series.
This phrase is used as the title for the South Korean television series about people participating in deadly children's games to win money.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of イカ (ika), meaning "squid".
How do you pronounce it?
ika gēmu
Did you know?
- While イカ means 'squid', Japanese speakers also use it in the slang term イカれる (ikareru) to describe someone who has 'gone crazy' or a machine that is broken.
- The word イカ (ika) is written in Katakana in the title even though it is a common Japanese noun, which is a stylistic choice used to make the title stand out as a proper noun.
- While the title names a creature, many traditional Japanese children's games are named after the physical actions or the equipment used rather than an animal. A Japanese speaker might instinctively expect a title describing a movement.
Examples in context
- イカゲーム が話題になっていますね。Squid Game is becoming a hot topic, isn't it?
- イカゲームはとても有名です。Ikagēmu wa totemo yūmei desu.Squid Game is very famous.
- 昨日、イカゲームを観ました。Kinō, Ikagēmu o mimashita.I watched Squid Game yesterday.
- イカゲームの続きが気になります。Ikagēmu no tsuzuki ga kininarimasu.I'm curious about the sequel to Squid Game.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about what to watch on TV.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くん、イカゲームを観た？Ren-kun, Ikagēmu o mita?Ren, have you watched Squid Game?
- 蓮 Renまだだよ。結衣さんは観たの？Mada dayo. Yui-san wa mita no?Not yet. Have you seen it, Yui?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、すごく面白かったよ。Un, sugoku omoshirokatta yo.Yes, it was really interesting.
- 蓮 Renじゃあ、僕も観てみるね。Jā, boku mo mite miru ne.Then, I'll try watching it too.
