ウノ
uno
The English phrase "uno" can be said in Japanese as ウノ.
ウノ refers to the popular card game where players compete to be the first to discard all their cards.
Which one should you use?
The loanword transliteration ユノ is also used informally.
How do you pronounce it?
uno
Did you know?
- While ウノ is the standard name, some Japanese players use the slang term ウノる by adding a verb ending to the game's name, effectively turning 'Uno' into a Japanese verb meaning 'to play Uno'.
- Because ウノ is a loanword, it is sometimes stylized in 'half-width' katakana ｳﾉ in digital gaming contexts to save space or mimic the aesthetic of early Japanese computer displays.
- If you were to use the Japanese word for 'one', which is ichi, to refer to the card game, players would likely be confused as it refers to the number rather than the brand name.
Examples in context
- 一つです！It's one!
- あと一枚！One card left!
- ユノだよ！It's Uno!
- 今からウノをしよう。Ima kara uno o shiyou.Let's play Uno now.
- ウノのルールを教えてください。Uno no ruuru o oshiete kudasai.Please teach me the rules of Uno.
- 昨日は友達とウノで遊びました。Kinou wa tomodachi to uno de asobimashita.I played Uno with my friends yesterday.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to do at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yuiウノをしませんか？Uno o shimasen ka?Would you like to play Uno?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですよ、やりましょう！Ii desu yo, yarimashou!Sure, let's do it!
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんはとても強いですね。Hiroto-san wa totemo tsuyoi desu ne.You are very strong at this, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さんも次は勝てますよ。Yui-san mo tsugi wa katemasu yo.You can win next time too, Yui.
