Translation guide
The English word "playing" covers a wide range of activities, from children's play to playing musical instruments, sports, games, and even acting. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions depending on what is being played. This guide breaks down the main meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To engage in unstructured play, have fun, or amuse oneself, especially for children.
The most common and general verb for playing, having fun, or hanging out. Used for children's play, but also for adults going out for fun.
The children are playing in the park.
I hung out with my friends yesterday.
Noun form meaning 'play' or 'fun activity'. Often used in compound words.
Playing outside is good for your health.
To perform music on an instrument.
Used for stringed instruments (piano, guitar, violin, etc.) and keyboard instruments. Note: for wind instruments, use 吹く (ふく).
She is good at playing the piano.
Can you play the guitar?
More formal verb meaning 'to perform' (music). Used for any instrument or ensemble.
The orchestra played Beethoven.
Used specifically for wind instruments (flute, trumpet, etc.).
To participate in a sport, game, or match.
The most common way to say 'play' a sport or game. Simply attach する to the sport/game name (often a loanword).
I play tennis on weekends.
Let's play a game together.
Casual equivalent of する, often used for games and sports in informal speech.
Loanword from English 'play', used in sports contexts, often in formal or written language.
He plays professionally.
To perform a character in a play, movie, or drama.
To start or operate a device to produce sound or video.
To play back a recording, video, or music. Used for devices and software.
Press this button to play the music.
Please play the video.
Common casual verb for playing music or a recording. Often used with 音楽 (おんがく) or CD.
To play music or a recording in a public space or as background music.
To behave in a lighthearted, non-serious way, or to tease.
Use 遊ぶ when the focus is on having fun or playing freely. Use する (or やる) when referring to playing a specific game or sport with rules. For example, 'playing tag' is 鬼ごっこをする, not 遊ぶ, though you can say 鬼ごっこをして遊ぶ (play by doing tag).
Never use 遊ぶ for playing a musical instrument. It sounds like you are treating the instrument as a toy. Use 弾く, 吹く, or 演奏する.
The kids are playing outside.
Can you play the guitar?
Let's play soccer.
He is playing the saxophone.
Let's play soccer now.
She is playing an important role.
Can I put on some music?
They're playing jazz in the store.
He's always joking around.
弟をからかって遊んだ。
I teased my little brother for fun.