How to Say "Volleyball" in Japanese

バレーボール

barēbōru[ba̠ɾe̞ːbo̞ːɾɯ̟]

The Japanese word for volleyball is バレーボール (barēbōru). Wiktionary also lists 排球 (haikyū).

Meaning: game (noun)

Ways to say it

“volleyball” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
バレーボール	barēbōru	[ba̠ɾe̞ːbo̞ːɾɯ̟] (narrow)
排球	haikyū	[ha̠ikʲɨː] (narrow)

The term refers to the game of volleyball.

バレーボール is the most standard and widely recognized term. 排球 is a more formal or technical term often used in official sports contexts or news.

barēbōru

The kanji used in 排球 consist of the characters for 'exclude' or 'expel' and 'ball'.
In Japanese schools, volleyball is often categorized as a 'club activity' 部活動, which is far more intense than a typical English 'after-school club'. Students may practice for several hours every single day.
In Japan, バレーボール is often shortened to just バレー in casual conversation. Using the full term in a relaxed setting can sometimes sound overly formal.

バレーボールは得意？
Are you good at volleyball?
This sentence is useful for asking if someone is good at バレーボール.
Tatoeba #8762393 by bunbuku, translation #6887153 by CK
バレーボールをしよう。
Let's play volleyball.
This sentence is useful for suggesting to play バレーボール.
Tatoeba #4587168 by omi31415, translation #34993 by CK
バレーボールに興味ある？
Are you interested in volleyball?
This sentence is useful for asking if someone has interest in バレーボール.
Tatoeba #8826535 by bunbuku, translation #6255965 by CK
今日、バレーの練習があるよ！
We have volleyball practice today!
いいね、私もバレーが大好きだから楽しみ！
Sounds great, I love volleyball too, so I'm excited!
皆さん、バレーボール大会が始まります！
Ladies and gentlemen, the volleyball tournament is about to begin!
16 more sentences on Tatoeba

At a sports center after school.

結衣 Yui

バレーボールの練習は大変？
Bareebooru no renshuu wa taihen?
Is volleyball practice hard?
大翔 Hiroto

うん、すごく疲れるよ。
Un, sugoku tsukareru yo.
Yeah, it's really tiring.
結衣 Yui

大翔くん、頑張ってるね。
Hiroto-kun, ganbatteru ne.
You're working hard, Hiroto.
大翔 Hiroto

ありがとう、もっと上手くなりたいんだ。
Arigatou, motto umaku naritai nda.
Thanks, I want to get better.

Sources

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