遊ぼう
asobō
In Japanese, "wanna play" is expressed as 遊ぼう (asobō).
The phrase is a casual invitation to spend time together doing something fun. In Japanese, 遊ぶ is used for hanging out with friends, not just for children playing with toys.
How does it change in a sentence?
遊ぼう is the volitional form of the verb, used to make a suggestion or an invitation.
How do you pronounce it?
asobō
Did you know?
- In adult contexts, 遊ぶ can have a suggestive connotation implying a romantic or sexual encounter. If an adult says they are 'playing' with someone they are not close friends with, it may be interpreted as a date.
- If you use the formal version 遊びましょう with a close friend, you might accidentally sound like you are being sarcastic or overly polite to mock them.
- A person who spends their life idling or gambling is described as a 遊び人, meaning 'play-person'. In English, this is often translated as a 'playboy' or ' loafer'.
Examples in context
- 明日の休憩時にチェスをしませんか？Won't you play chess during tomorrow's break time?
- ゲームしよう！一緒にバトルしようぜ！Let's play a game! Let's battle together!
- 今日の午後、遊びに行こうよ！Let's go have fun this afternoon!
- 明日、遊ぼう！ashita, asobou!Let's hang out tomorrow!
- 週末、一緒に遊ぼう。shuumatsu, issho ni asobou.Let's hang out together this weekend.
- 公園で遊ぼうよ。kouen de asobou yo.Let's play at the park.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking at school.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、今度遊ぼう！Yui, kondo asobō!Yui, let's hang out sometime!
- 結衣 Yuiいいよ！どこに行く？Ii yo! Doko ni iku?Sure! Where should we go?
- 蓮 Ren駅前のカフェに行こう。Ekimae no kafe ni ikō.Let's go to the cafe in front of the station.
- 結衣 Yui賛成！楽しみにしてるね。Sansei! Tanoshimi ni shiteru ne.I agree! I'm looking forward to it.
