How to say "game" in Japanese

• ゲームJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe most direct equivalent: games as entertainment, such as video games, board games, and card games. It is also used of a game or match in sports.
  私達わたしたちはいろいろなゲームをした。↗

  We played many kinds of games.
• 競技きょうぎJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA game or contest viewed as organized competition: sports events and athletic contests. The emphasis is on people competing against each other under rules, as in a sporting event.
  あなたは競技きょうぎに参加さんかしましたか。↗

  Did you take part in the game?
• 試合しあいJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA match or game in the sense of a single competitive encounter: one bout or game between teams or players, as in baseball, tennis, or sumo.
  その試合しあいは何時いつに始はじまりますか。↗

  What time does the game start?
• 遊びあそびJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounPlay or a game as amusement and recreation, especially children's play; a game here is simply something done for fun, with no emphasis on organized competition.
• 遊戯ゆうぎCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAlso 'play' or 'game' in the amusement sense, close to 遊び, but seldom the word you want for 'game': it really lives in set expressions for children's play and recreation.

Use 「ゲーム」 for games as entertainment, 競技 for competitive sports and events, 試合 for an individual match or bout, and 「遊び」 for play and amusement, while 遊戯 also means play but is largely confined to set expressions.

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

• ゲームgame
• 競技きょうぎgame
• 試合しあいmatch
• 遊びあそびplay
• 遊戯ゆうぎplay
• 遊技ゆうぎgame
• 一戦いっせんbattle
• 獲物えものprey
• 手合わせてあわせgame
• 遊び事あそびごとgame
• モテテク(one's) game (esp. in dating)
• 勝負事しょうぶごとgambling
• 対抗戦たいこうせんmatch
• お遊びおあそびplay
• 対局たいきょく(playing a) game (of go, shogi, etc.)
• ゲー(video) game
• 一番いちばんgame
• 回かいinning (baseball)
• 本番ほんばんgame
• プレイplaying (a sport)
• 勝負しょうぶmatch
• 猟りょうgame
• 戦いたたかいcontest
• 戦せんmatch
• 本チャンほんチャンgame
• 局きょくgame (of go, shogi, etc.)