How to say "gambling" in Japanese

• ギャンブルCommon
  nounThe loanword for gambling in its everyday sense of betting money on games of chance; the natural choice in casual conversation about betting, casinos and the like.
  彼かれはギャンブルに夢中むちゅうになっている。↗

  He is mad on gambling.
• 賭博とばくCommon
  nounGambling viewed as a formal or legal matter — the term of laws, official contexts and news reports, especially illegal gambling; it sounds stiff in casual talk about having a bet.
• 投機とうきCommon
  nounNot gambling in the casino sense: it means speculation — risking money on ventures, shares and markets in the hope of profit; use it only where 'gambling' means financial speculation, as in gambling on stocks.
  彼かれは投機とうきに手てを出だして財産ざいさんの大半たいはんを失うしなった。↗

  He lost the greater part of his fortune in speculation.

Use 「ギャンブル」 for gambling as a pastime or game of chance, 賭博 for gambling as a formal or legal matter, and 投機 only for financial speculation, where 'gambling on stocks' is meant.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ギャンブルgambling
• 賭博とばくgambling
• 投機とうきspeculation
• 博打ばくちgambling
• 博奕ばくえきgambling
• 勝負事しょうぶごとgambling
• 賭け事かけごとbetting
• 悪遊びわるあそびprank
• 手遊びてあそびgambling
• 一六勝負いちろくしょうぶgambling
• 手慰みてなぐさみgambling