Translation guide
A Japanese mechanical game similar to pinball, used for gambling. The word is a loanword in English, so it often refers to the game itself or the parlors where it is played.
Referring to the pinball-like game popular in Japan.
The standard Japanese term for the game. It is a loanword from English 'pachinko', but pronounced in Japanese style.
週末はよくパチンコをしに行きます。
I often go play pachinko on weekends.
Referring to the establishment where pachinko is played.
Common casual term for a pachinko parlor. Literally 'pachinko shop'.
あのパチンコ屋はいつも混んでいる。
That pachinko parlor is always crowded.
Slightly more formal term for a pachinko parlor, often used in writing or business contexts.
A term sometimes used in the industry or formal descriptions, borrowed from English 'hall'.
大型パチンコホールが郊外にできた。
A large pachinko hall was built in the suburbs.
Describing the activity of playing pachinko.
The standard way to say 'play pachinko'. Uses the verb する (to do).
彼は毎日パチンコをしている。
He plays pachinko every day.
Literally 'to hit pachinko', a more colloquial and vivid expression often used by enthusiasts. 打つ (うつ) means 'to hit/strike'.
昨日は３時間パチンコを打った。
Yesterday I played pachinko for three hours.
Referring to the physical machine itself.
Standard term for a pachinko machine. 台 (だい) means 'stand' or 'machine'.
新しいパチンコ台が入荷した。
New pachinko machines have arrived.
Loanword from English, used occasionally but less common than パチンコ台.
このパチンコマシンは最新式だ。
This pachinko machine is the latest model.
Pachinko parlors are ubiquitous in Japan and are a form of gambling, though technically they operate in a legal gray area. Players exchange won balls for prizes, which can then be exchanged for cash at a separate location.
While pachinko resembles pinball, it is a distinct game. Do not use 'ピンボール' (pinball) to refer to pachinko, as it means the Western arcade game.
新しくパチンコ店がオープンした。
A new pachinko parlor opened.