Japanese Video Games Vocabulary – Essential Terms for Gamers

Let's xplore key Japanese gaming vocabulary, focusing on important game-related terms, expressions, and how to communicate with Japanese gamers.

Multiplayer and Communication Phrases 

When playing multiplayer games, communication is key. Here are some essential greetings and phrases you’ll use with other players:

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello
• お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) – Good job / Well done (common after a match)
• よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – Nice to meet you / Please take care of it
• 勝った！ (Katta!) – We won!
• 負けた (Maketa) – We lost
• 頑張って (Ganbatte) – Good luck / Do your best
• ありがとう (Arigatō) – Thank you
• 今行く (Ima iku) – I’m coming now (helpful in multiplayer games)

Example Sentences:

• お疲れ様でした！楽しかったです。 (Otsukaresama deshita! Tanoshikatta desu.)
  → Good job! It was fun.
   
• 頑張って！あなたならできる！ (Ganbatte! Anata nara dekiru!)
  → Good luck! You can do it!

Basic Game Terms 

These are essential basic gaming terms - – ゲームの基本用語 (Gēmu no kihon yōgo) you’ll frequently encounter in many Japanese video games, especially when you're getting started:

• ゲーム (Gēmu) – Game
• プレイヤー (Pureiyā) – Player
• キャラクター (Kyarakutā) – Character
• ステージ (Sutēji) – Stage
• レベル (Reberu) – Level
• スコア (Sukoa) – Score
• アイテム (Aitemu) – Item
• ボス (Bosu) – Boss
• セーブ (Sēbu) – Save
• ロード (Rōdo) – Load
• ゲームオーバー (Gēmu Ōbā) – Game Over
• メニュー (Menyū) – Menu
• ゲームパッド (Gēmu paddo) – Gamepad
• コントローラー (Konturōrā) – Controller
• プレイ (Purei) – Play

Example Sentences:

• このゲームはレベルが高いです。 (Kono gēmu wa reberu ga takai desu.)
  → This game has a high level.
   
• アイテムを拾いました。 (Aitemu o hiroimashita.)
  → I picked up an item.

>>>>>>>Download PDF - Japanese game vocabulary here: Link

Combat and Action Vocabulary 

In action-oriented games, combat vocabulary – 戦闘とアクション用語 (Sentō to akushon yōgo) is essential. Whether you're engaging in a battle or strategizing, knowing the terms is key:

• 攻撃 (Kōgeki) – Attack
• 防御 (Bōgyo) – Defense
• ダメージ (Damēji) – Damage
• 回復 (Kaifuku) – Healing
• ヒーリング (Hīringu) – Healing (action)
• フランク (Furanku) – Flanking
• カバーファイア (Kabā faiā) – Cover fire
• リロード (Rirōdo) – Reload
• ターゲット (Tāgetto) – Target
• スナイパー (Sunaipā) – Sniper
• アサルト (Asaruto) – Assault
• スキル (Sukiru) – Skill
• パワーアップ (Pawā appu) – Power-up
• エネルギー (Enerugī) – Energy

Example Sentences:

• フランクして敵を倒そう！ (Furanku shite teki o taosou!)
  → Let’s flank and defeat the enemy!
   
• 回復アイテムを使います。 (Kaifuku aitemu o tsukaimasu.)
  → I will use a healing item.

Game Mechanics and Features 

Here are some terms related to game mechanics and features you’ll come across in many games:

• マルチキル (Maruchikiru) – Multi-kill
• スコアボード (Sukoābōdo) – Scoreboard
• ボーナス (Bōnasu) – Bonus
• チェックポイント (Chekku pointo) – Checkpoint
• エリア (Eria) – Area (often used in battle zones)
• リスポーン (Risupōn) – Respawn
• コンボ (Konbo) – Combo
• フルスクリーン (Furu sukuriin) – Fullscreen
• パズル (Pazuru) – Puzzle
• バトルロイヤル (Batoru roiyaru) – Battle Royale

Example Sentences:

• リスポーンするまで待ってください。 (Risupōn suru made matte kudasai.)
  → Please wait until respawn.
   
• バトルロイヤルモードで勝ちました。 (Batoru roiyaru mōdo de kachimashita.)
  → I won in Battle Royale mode.

Game Status and Stats Vocabulary

When playing RPGs or other games with detailed character stats, you’ll often encounter terms related to character stats and game status : – ゲームのステータスと能力 (Gēmu no sutētasu to nōryoku). Here are some essential terms:

• Strength – 力 (ちから, Chikara)
• Agility – 素早さ (すばやさ, Subayasa)
• HP (Health Points) – 体力 (たいりょく, Tairyoku)
• MP (Magic Points) – 魔力 (まりょく, Maryoku)
• Attack Power – 攻撃力 (こうげきりょく, Kōgekiryoku)
• Defense – 防御力 (ぼうぎょりょく, Bōgyoryoku)
• Evade Rate – 回避率 (かいひりつ, Kaihiritsu)
• Magic Defense – 魔法防御 (まほうぼうぎょ, Mahō bōgyo)
• Magic Evade Rate – 魔法回避率 (まほう かいひりつ, Mahō kaihiritsu)

Example Sentences:

• 攻撃力が上がった！ (Kōgekiryoku ga agatta!)
  → Attack power has increased!

• 魔法防御が高いキャラクターを使っています。 (Mahō bōgyo ga takai kyarakutā o tsukatteimasu.)
  → I’m using a character with high magic defense.

• 回避率が低いので、気をつけて！ (Kaihiritsu ga hikui node, ki o tsukete!)
  → Be careful because the evade rate is low!

Character and Role Vocabulary 

In RPGs and other games, you'll encounter different character types and roles. Here are some key terms related to characters and roles キャラクターと役割の語彙 (Kyarakutā to yakuwari no goi) that you will find in Japanese video games:

• Character – キャラ (Kyarā)
• Person (in the game) – 人物 (じんぶつ, Jinbutsu)
• Summoner – 召喚士 (しょうかんし, Shōkanshi)
• Soldier – 兵士 (へいし, Heishi)
• Guard – ガード (Gādo)
• Warrior – 戦士 (せんし, Senshi)
• Swordsman – 剣士 (けんし, Kenshi)
• Adventurer – 冒険者 (ぼうけんしゃ, Bōkensha)
• Merchant – 商人 (しょうにん, Shōnin)
• Traveller – 旅人 (たびびと, Tabibito)
• Player – プレイヤー (Pureiyā)
• Bandit – 盗賊 (とうぞく, Tōzoku)
• Pirate – 海賊 (かいぞく, Kaizoku)
• Thief – 泥棒 (どろぼう, Dorobō)
• Treasure Hunter – トレジャーハンター (Torejā hantā)
• Enemy – 敵 (てき, Teki)
• Ally/Friend – 味方 (みかた, Mikata)
• Person – 者 (もの, Mono)
• Young Woman/Daughter – 娘 (むすめ, Musume)
• Old Man – 老人 (ろうじん, Rōjin)
• Underground Organization – 地下組織 (ちかそしき, Chikasoshiki)

Example Sentences:

• 私は冒険者として旅をしています。 (Watashi wa bōkensha to shite tabi o shiteimasu.)
  → I am traveling as an adventurer.

• 盗賊は村を襲いました。 (Tōzoku wa mura o osowamashita.)
  → The bandits attacked the village.

• ガードが門を守っています。 (Gādo ga mon o mamotteimasu.)
  → The guard is protecting the gate.

• 味方と一緒に戦っています。 (Mikata to issho ni tatakatteimasu.)
  → I am fighting with my allies.

Advanced Tips for Improving Gaming Vocabulary 

To truly improve your gaming vocabulary, here are some tips to boost your Japanese language skills:

1. Play Japanese Games: Immerse yourself by playing Japanese video games such as Pokémon, Final Fantasy, or Monster Hunter. These games will expose you to essential vocabulary.
2. Watch Japanese Gaming YouTubers: Watching Japanese gaming streams or YouTube channels helps you hear real gaming vocabulary used by native speakers. Check out channels like HikakinGames or Game Center CX.
3. Join Japanese Gaming Communities: Participate in Japanese-speaking gaming forums and Discord servers where players use Japanese terms in real-time.
4. Use Language Apps: Language learning apps like Hey Japan have gaming-specific vocabulary packs that will help reinforce your knowledge.

Learn more:

• 5 groups of Japanese family vocabulary you should know

• Medicine Vocabulary in Japanese - Words to use in hospital and pharmacy

• 20+ Japanese Caregiver Vocabulary – Essential Terms for Caregivers (Kaigo)

• 45+ Japanese Animals Vocabulary for beginners