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.
子供たちが公園で遊んでいる。
The children are playing in the park.
昨日は友達と遊んだ。
I hung out with my friends yesterday.
Noun form meaning 'play' or 'fun activity'. Often used in compound words.
外での遊びは体にいい。
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).
彼女はピアノを弾くのが上手だ。
She is good at playing the piano.
ギターを弾けますか？
Can you play the guitar?
More formal verb meaning 'to perform' (music). Used for any instrument or ensemble.
オーケストラがベートーベンを演奏した。
The orchestra played Beethoven.
Used specifically for wind instruments (flute, trumpet, etc.).
彼はサックスを吹いている。
He is playing the saxophone.
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).
週末にテニスをする。
I play tennis on weekends.
一緒にゲームをしよう。
Let's play a game together.
Casual equivalent of する, often used for games and sports in informal speech.
今からサッカーやろうぜ。
Let's play soccer now.
Loanword from English 'play', used in sports contexts, often in formal or written language.
彼はプロとしてプレーしている。
He plays professionally.
To perform a character in a play, movie, or drama.
To play a role or act a part. Used for theater, film, and also metaphorically.
彼はハムレットを演じた。
He played Hamlet.
彼女は重要な役割を演じている。
She is playing an important role.
Casual way to say 'play a role'. 役 means 'role'.
次の劇で主役をやるんだ。
I'm playing the lead in the next play.
To start or operate a device to produce sound or video.
To play back a recording, video, or music. Used for devices and software.
このボタンを押すと音楽が再生されます。
Press this button to play the music.
動画を再生してください。
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.
To mess around, joke, or act silly. Can be negative if someone is not being serious when they should be.
授業中にふざけてはいけません。
Don't play around during class.
彼はいつもふざけている。
He's always joking around.
To tease or make fun of someone playfully.
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.
子供たちは外で遊んでいます。
The kids are playing outside.
ギターを弾けますか？
Can you play the guitar?
サッカーをしよう。
Let's play soccer.
Can I put on some music?
They're playing jazz in the store.
弟をからかって遊んだ。
I teased my little brother for fun.