テレビゲーム
terebi gēmu[te̞ɾe̞bʲi ɡe̞ːmɯ̟]
The Japanese phrase for "video games" is テレビゲーム (terebi gēmu).
テレビゲーム refers to electronic games played on a screen, such as a television or monitor. When you want to say you are playing video games, you use the verb する (to do) instead of a direct translation of the English verb "play".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a loanword combination of テレビ, meaning television and ゲーム, meaning game.
Which one should you use?
While テレビゲーム is the full term, people often shorten it to just ゲーム when the context of electronic gaming is already clear.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of playing, combine the noun with する to form ゲームをする.
How do you pronounce it?
terebi gēmu
Did you know?
- In Japan, the phrase ゲームオーバー ('game over') has entered common slang to describe a situation where someone has failed completely or a relationship has ended.
- While テレビゲーム is the standard term, the word ゲーム is also used to describe gambling and betting activities in Japanese.
- Japanese gamers often use the term 実況 ('jikkyō') to describe 'Let's Play' videos, which literally means 'live commentary'.
Examples in context
- 暇潰しにテレビゲームをしよう。Let's play some video games to kill time.This sentence is useful for suggesting playing video games to pass the time.Tatoeba #186813 by small_snow, translation #23950 by CK
- テレビゲームか何かして遊ぼうよ。Let's play video games or something.This sentence is useful for suggesting playing video games or similar activities.Tatoeba #10169069 by small_snow, translation #961713 by Eevee
- トムはいつもテレビゲームばかりしている。Tom is always playing video games.This sentence is useful for describing someone who is always playing video games.Tatoeba #200114 by bunbuku, translation #37315 by CK
- 最新のゲームは非常に人気があります。The latest video games are extremely popular.
- ビデオゲーム業界の成長は驚くべきものです。The growth of the video game industry is remarkable.
- 今日は友達とゲームをするつもりです。I plan to play video games with my friends today.
- 最新のビデオゲーム、もうプレイした？Have you played the latest video game yet?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Siblings are deciding what to do in the living room.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、一緒にテレビゲームをしない？Yōta, issho ni terebigēmu o shinai?Yota, do you want to play video games together?
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。何をする？Ii yo. Nani o suru?Sure. What should we play?
- 陽葵 Himari新しいテレビゲームを買ったよ。Atarashii terebigēmu o katta yo.I bought a new video game.
- 陽太 Yotaすごい！早くやろう。Sugoi! Hayaku yarō.Awesome! Let's play it quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry テレビゲーム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
