遊び|あそびasobi[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounplay; playing; game
2. nounpleasure; amusement; pastime; recreation; diversion
   今度こんどの旅行りょこうは仕事しごとじゃなくて遊あそびです。↗

   Our next trip is for pleasure, not for work.
3. nounplay (in a mechanism, e.g. a steering wheel)
4. nounflexibility (in a performance, art, etc.); freedom
5. nounflyleaf

• Synonym遊戯ゆうぎWrittenWritten word for play and games, as in 「遊戯施設」; also used for rhythmic play at kindergartens. More formal than 「遊び」.
• Synonym楽しみたのしみNeutralMeans pleasure or something to look forward to, as in 「楽しみにしている」; centers on the feeling of enjoyment rather than the activity.
• RelatedレクリエーションWrittenLoanword for recreation taken to recover energy, whether alone or in a group, as in 「社内レクリエーション」. Written/formal register.
• Related気晴らしきばらしCasualColloquial word for taking your mind off things, as in 「気晴らしに散歩する」; stresses dispelling a gloomy mood rather than play itself.
• Related娯楽ごらくWrittenWritten word for amusement and entertainment, as in 「娯楽施設」; stresses enjoyment in one's free time away from work or study.
• Related憂さ晴らしうさばらしCasualColloquial term for amusing yourself to forget your worries, as in 「憂さ晴らしに飲む」; stresses venting them through play.
• Related心やりこころやりWrittenWritten word meaning either diversion or thoughtfulness; polysemous and old-fashioned, rarely used today.
• Related慰みなぐさみNeutralA pastime to console yourself with, as in 「ほんの慰み」; carries the nuance of a meager comfort rather than full-fledged play.
• Related遊び事あそびごとCasualColloquial word for play and pastimes, as in 「遊び事に夢中」; can carry a hint of frivolity, of not being serious.
• Related気保養きほようWrittenWritten word for refreshing yourself by enjoying a different environment or activity; less common than 「遊び」.
• Related気散じきさんじCasualColloquial word for a diversion that relieves the fatigue of work or study; has an old-fashioned tone.
• Related気慰みきなぐさみNeutralA distraction to take your mind off boredom, as in 「気慰みに読む」; narrower than 「遊び」, focused on whiling away dull moments.
• Related命の洗濯いのちのせんたくCasualIdiom for casting off daily drudgery and indulging freely, as in 「温泉で命の洗濯」; full, restorative relaxation.
• Antonym仕事しごとNeutralAntonym of 「遊び」: work or occupation, as in 「仕事と遊び」.
• Antonym勉強べんきょうNeutralAntonym of 「遊び」: study, as in 「勉強も遊びも」.

For play or pastimes, 「遊び」 is the default. Use 「遊戯」 in formal written style, 「娯楽」 or 「レクリエーション」 for entertainment and recreation, 「気晴らし」 for taking your mind off things, 「憂さ晴らし」 for forgetting troubles through play, and 「命の洗濯」 for indulgent relaxation; work is 「仕事」.

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

1. 遊あそぶの連用形れんようけい。
2. 楽たのしみのためにスポーツや趣味しゅみ、ゲームなどをすること。遊戯ゆうぎ。
3. 酒色しゅしょくや賭け事かけごとなどの遊興ゆうきょう。
4. 仕事しごとがなくてひまなこと。
5. 物事ものごとにゆとりがあること。
6. 機械きかい部品ぶひんにおいて意図的いとてきに作つくられた余裕よゆうやゆとり。