Activities / Leisure Word Dictionary

遊ぶ—play

あそぶ

To do an activity freely for enjoyment.

読む—read

よむ

To look at written words and understand their meaning.

書く—write

かく

To make letters or words on a surface.

描く—draw

えがく

To create an image with lines on a surface.

歌う—sing

うたう

To make musical sounds with the voice.

踊る—dance

おどる

To move the body in time with music or rhythm.

聴く—listen

きく

To pay attention to sounds with the ears.

見る—watch

みる

To keep looking at an event or moving image.

走る—run

はしる

To move quickly on foot with both feet sometimes off the ground.

歩く—walk

あるく

To move on foot at a regular pace.

泳ぐ—swim

およぐ

To move through water by using the arms and legs.

休む—rest

やすむ

To stop activity for a while to regain energy.

笑う—laugh

わらう

To make a happy sound and facial expression.

話す—talk

はなす

To express thoughts by speaking with another person.

作る—make

つくる

To create something by putting materials or parts together.

音楽—music

おんがく

Sounds arranged with rhythm and melody for listening.

映画—movie

えいが

A work that tells a story through moving images and sound.

歌—song

うた

A short piece of music made to be sung.

運動—exercise

うんどう

Physical activity done to keep the body healthy and strong.

旅行—travel

りょこう

The activity of going to a different place for experience or enjoyment.

釣り—fishing

つり

The activity of catching fish with a line, hook, or net.

園芸—gardening

えんげい

The activity of growing and caring for plants in a garden or pots.

野球—baseball

やきゅう

A team game in which players hit a ball and run around bases.

絵画—painting

かいが

The art of creating pictures with color on a surface.

趣味—hobby

しゅみ

An activity done regularly for enjoyment in free time.

跳ぶ—jump

とぶ

To push off the ground and rise into the air.

投げる—throw

なげる

To send an object through the air with the hand or arm.

捕る—catch

とる

To stop and hold an object moving through the air.

蹴る—kick

ける

To strike something with the foot.

打つ—hit

うつ

To strike something with a hand or an object.

乗る—ride

のる

To travel while sitting on a bicycle, animal, or similar thing.

登る—climb

のぼる

To move upward using the hands, feet, or steps.

練習する—practice

れんしゅうする

To repeat an activity in order to improve skill.

競う—compete

きそう

To try to do better than another person or group.

勝つ—win

かつ

To finish a game or contest with the best result.

負ける—lose

まける

To finish a game or contest without winning.

始める—start

はじめる

To begin an activity or event.

終える—finish

おえる

To bring an activity or event to its end.

参加する—join

さんかする

To take part in an activity or event with others.

選ぶ—choose

えらぶ

To decide which one to take from several choices.

球—ball

たま

A round object used in many games and sports.

試合—match

しあい

An organized game in which people or groups compete.

競走—race

きょうそう

A contest to see who can reach a place first.

自転車—bicycle

じてんしゃ

A two-wheeled vehicle moved by pushing pedals with the feet.

船—boat

ふね

A small vehicle used to travel on water.

遊び場—playground

あそびば

An outdoor area with equipment where children play.

運動場—sports field

うんどうじょう

An open area prepared for exercise and sports games.

競技場—stadium

きょうぎじょう

A large place with seats where sports events are held.

勝利—victory

しょうり

The result of winning a game, contest, or struggle.

敗北—defeat

はいぼく

The result of losing a game, contest, or struggle.

楽しむ—enjoy

たのしむ

To feel pleasure while doing or experiencing something.

寛ぐ—relax

くつろぐ

To become calm and free from tension.

祝う—celebrate

いわう

To show happiness about a special event or success.

応援する—cheer

おうえんする

To give someone support with words or actions.

拍手する—clap

はくしゅする

To strike the hands together to show approval or keep rhythm.

招く—invite

まねく

To ask someone to come or take part.

集まる—gather

あつまる

To come together in one place.

訪ねる—visit

たずねる

To go and spend time at a person or place.

探検する—explore

たんけんする

To travel around a place to learn about it.

見つける—discover

みつける

To find or learn something for the first time.

想像する—imagine

そうぞうする

To form a picture or idea in the mind.

創作する—create

そうさくする

To make an original work using ideas and skill.

飾る—decorate

かざる

To make a place or thing look more attractive.

演じる—perform

えんじる

To present music, acting, or another act to an audience.

展示する—exhibit

てんじする

To place something where people can see it.

集める—collect

あつめる

To bring similar things together and keep them.

解く—solve

とく

To find the answer to a question or puzzle.

覚える—remember

おぼえる

To keep a fact or experience in the mind.

忘れる—forget

わすれる

To no longer remember something.

集中する—concentrate

しゅうちゅうする

To give full attention to one activity.

繰り返す—repeat

くりかえす

To do or say something again.

上達する—improve

じょうたつする

To become better at doing something.

試みる—try

こころみる

To make an effort to do something.

技能—skill

ぎのう

An ability gained through learning and practice.

才能—talent

さいのう

A natural ability to do something well.

玩具—toy

おもちゃ

An object made for children to play with.

人形—doll

にんぎょう

A toy shaped like a person or baby.

凧—kite

たこ

A light frame covered with material and flown in the wind on a string.

隠れん坊—hide-and-seek

かくれんぼ

A game where players hide and one person searches for them.

鬼ごっこ—tag

おにごっこ

A chasing game where one player tries to touch another.

花火—fireworks

はなび

Bright explosions in the sky used for celebration or entertainment.

動物園—zoo

どうぶつえん

A place where people can see many kinds of living animals.

水族館—aquarium

すいぞくかん

A place where fish and other water animals are shown.

遊園地—amusement park

ゆうえんち

A place with rides and games for fun.

図書館—library

としょかん

A place where books can be read or borrowed.

劇場—theater

げきじょう

A building where plays and other performances are shown.

演奏会—concert

えんそうかい

A live event where music is performed for an audience.

観光—sightseeing

かんこう

The activity of visiting interesting places while traveling.

遠足—outing

えんそく

A short trip made for enjoyment.

祝日—public holiday

しゅくじつ

A day officially set aside when schools and most workplaces are closed.

週末—weekend

しゅうまつ

The final days of the week when many people do not work or study.

休暇—vacation

きゅうか

A longer period away from school or work for rest.

自由時間—free time

じゆうじかん

Time when a person is not working, studying, or doing required tasks.

行事—event

ぎょうじ

A planned occasion where people gather for a purpose.

大会—contest

たいかい

An event where people compete to show who does best.

賞品—prize

しょうひん

Something given to a person who wins or does well.

優勝者—champion

ゆうしょうしゃ

A person who wins first place in a contest.

対戦相手—opponent

たいせんあいて

A person or team that someone competes against.

審判—referee

しんぱん

A person who makes sure a game follows its rules.

規則—rule

きそく

An instruction that says what is allowed or required.

物語—story

ものがたり

A description of connected events, real or imagined.

詩—poem

し

A piece of writing that expresses ideas or feelings through carefully chosen words.

小説—novel

しょうせつ

A long written story with imagined characters and events.

漫画—comics

まんが

Stories told through a sequence of drawings and written words.

演劇—stage play

えんげき

A story performed by actors before an audience.

祭り—festival

まつり

A special public celebration with events and activities.

楽器—musical instrument

がっき

An object made to produce sounds for music.

太鼓—drum

たいこ

A hollow instrument played by striking a stretched surface.

笛—flute

ふえ

A long hollow instrument played by blowing air across or into it.

写真撮影—photography

しゃしんさつえい

The activity or art of making photographs with a camera.

工芸—craft

こうげい

The activity of making useful or decorative objects by hand.

裁縫—sewing

さいほう

The activity of joining or repairing cloth with needle and thread.

折り紙—origami

おりがみ

The art of folding paper into shapes without cutting it.

書道—calligraphy

しょどう

The art of writing letters beautifully by hand.

謎—riddle

なぞ

A question or statement with a hidden answer to be guessed.

芸術—art

げいじゅつ

Creative work that expresses ideas, beauty, or feelings.

旋律—melody

せんりつ

A pleasing sequence of musical notes that forms a tune.

拍子—rhythm

ひょうし

A repeated pattern of beats or movement in music.

舞台—stage

ぶたい

A raised or marked area where performers appear before an audience.

観客—audience

かんきゃく

The people gathered to watch or listen to a performance.

公演—performance

こうえん

An event where music, acting, or dance is presented to an audience.

展示会—exhibition

てんじかい

A public display of art, objects, or information.

収集—collection

しゅうしゅう

The activity of gathering and keeping similar objects as a hobby.

博物館—museum

はくぶつかん

A place that preserves and displays important objects for the public.

画廊—gallery

がろう

A place where works of art are displayed or sold.

楽しい—fun

たのしい

Giving pleasure and making people feel happy.

退屈—boring

たいくつ

Not interesting and making time feel slow.

興味深い—interesting

きょうみぶかい

Making someone want to know or pay attention to more.

心躍る—exciting

こころおどる

Causing strong happiness and eager attention.

人気がある—popular

にんきがある

Liked or enjoyed by many people.

有名—famous

ゆうめい

Known by many people.

創造的—creative

そうぞうてき

Able to make new ideas or original things.

活発—active

かっぱつ

Moving often and taking part with energy.

静か—quiet

しずか

Making little or no noise.

賑やか—lively

にぎやか

Full of energy, movement, and cheerful activity.

上手—skillful

じょうず

Able to do something very well through practice.

不得意—unskilled

ふとくい

Not yet able to do something well.

伝統的—traditional

でんとうてき

Following customs or ways passed down for a long time.

現代的—modern

げんだいてき

Using ideas or styles of the present time.

安全—safe

あんぜん

Not likely to cause harm or danger.

危険—dangerous

きけん

Likely to cause harm or injury.

公平—fair

こうへい

Treating everyone by the same reasonable rules.

不公平—unfair

ふこうへい

Not treating people by equal and reasonable rules.

独創的—original

どくそうてき

New and not copied from someone else.

勇敢—brave

ゆうかん

Able to face fear or difficulty without giving up.

辛抱強い—patient

しんぼうづよい

Able to wait or keep trying without becoming upset.

私的—private

してき

Belonging to or intended for one person or a limited group.

公開—public

こうかい

Open or available for anyone to see or join.

注意深い—careful

ちゅういぶかい

Paying close attention to avoid mistakes or danger.

不注意—careless

ふちゅうい

Not paying enough attention and likely to make mistakes.

計画する—plan

けいかくする

To decide in advance what to do and how to do it.

準備する—prepare

じゅんびする

To make things ready before an activity begins.

整理する—organize

せいりする

To arrange things or tasks in a clear order.

予約する—reserve

よやくする

To arrange in advance for a place or service to be kept.

借りる—borrow

かりる

To take and use something for a time before returning it.

返す—return

かえす

To give back something that was borrowed.

分け合う—share

わけあう

To let others use or enjoy something together.

交換する—exchange

こうかんする

To give one thing and receive another in return.

出席する—attend

しゅっせきする

To be present at an event or activity.

導く—lead

みちびく

To guide a person or group in an activity.

従う—follow

したがう

To go after someone or act according to guidance.

記録する—record

きろくする

To save sounds, images, or information for later.

編集する—edit

へんしゅうする

To select and arrange recorded or written material.

発表する—present

はっぴょうする

To show or explain work or ideas to other people.

暗唱する—recite

あんしょうする

To say a learned text aloud from memory.

作曲する—compose

さっきょくする

To create a piece of music.

彫る—carve

ほる

To cut material into a shape or pattern.

織る—weave

おる

To cross threads over and under each other to make material.

縫う—sew

ぬう

To join or repair material using a needle and thread.

形作る—shape

かたちづくる

To form material into a particular shape.

結ぶ—tie

むすぶ

To fasten things together with string or a similar material.

折り畳む—fold

おりたたむ

To bend material so one part lies over another.

切る—cut

きる

To divide material using a sharp tool.

貼る—paste

はる

To attach one thing to another using a sticky substance.

彩る—color

いろどる

To add color to a drawing or object.

経験—experience

けいけん

Something a person has done, seen, or lived through.

記憶—memory

きおく

Something from the past kept in the mind.

想像力—imagination

そうぞうりょく

The ability to form pictures and ideas in the mind.

閃き—inspiration

ひらめき

A sudden idea that makes someone want to create or act.

考え—idea

かんがえ

A thought or suggestion about what could be done.

主題—theme

しゅだい

The main subject of a work or event.

題名—title

だいめい

The name given to a book, song, picture, or other work.

歌詞—lyrics

かし

The words of a song.

図案—design

ずあん

A planned drawing that shows how something will look.

模様—pattern

もよう

A repeated decorative shape or arrangement.

細部—detail

さいぶ

A small part of something larger.

均衡—balance

きんこう

A state where different parts are in the right proportion.

調和—harmony

ちょうわ

A pleasing way in which different parts fit together.

表現—expression

ひょうげん

The act or result of showing a thought or feeling.

動き—movement

うごき

A change in the position of the body or an object.

姿勢—pose

しせい

A particular position of the body held for a time.

役者—actor

やくしゃ

A person who performs a character in a play or film.

監督—director

かんとく

A person who guides how a play or film is made.

芸術家—artist

げいじゅつか

A person who creates art such as pictures, music, or performances.

作品—work

さくひん

Something created through art or imagination.

名作—masterpiece

めいさく

A work considered especially excellent.

場面—scene

ばめん

A part of a story, play, or film that happens in one setting.

筋書き—plot

すじがき

The main events that form a story.

結末—ending

けつまつ

The final part of a story or performance.

神秘—mystery

しんぴ

Something strange or unknown that is hard to explain.

好み—preference

このみ

A greater liking for one choice than another.

興味—interest

きょうみ

A feeling that makes someone want to know more about something.

好奇心—curiosity

こうきしん

A strong desire to learn or discover something.

注意—attention

ちゅうい

Careful focus on what is happening or being done.

努力—effort

どりょく

The physical or mental energy used to do something.

進歩—progress

しんぽ

Movement toward a better or more complete state.

達成—achievement

たっせい

Something important completed through effort or skill.

目標—goal

もくひょう

Something a person aims to achieve.

結果—result

けっか

What happens or exists at the end of an action.

間違い—mistake

まちがい

Something done or understood incorrectly.

成功—success

せいこう

The achievement of a desired goal or result.

失敗—failure

しっぱい

The state of not achieving a desired goal.

機会—opportunity

きかい

A situation that makes it possible to do something.

方法—method

ほうほう

A particular way of doing something.

習慣—habit

しゅうかん

Something a person does regularly and almost automatically.

挑戦—challenge

ちょうせん

A difficult task that tests ability or courage.

共同作業—teamwork

きょうどうさぎょう

The act of working together as a group.

公平さ—fairness

こうへいさ

The quality of treating everyone by equal rules.

勇気—courage

ゆうき

The strength to face fear or difficulty.

忍耐—patience

にんたい

The ability to wait or continue without becoming upset.

独創性—originality

どくそうせい

The quality of being new and not copied from others.

集中力—concentration

しゅうちゅうりょく

The ability to keep full attention on one thing.

自由—freedom

じゆう

The state of being able to choose and act without unfair limits.

楽しみ—enjoyment

たのしみ

The pleasure felt from an activity or experience.

意欲—motivation

いよく

The reason or desire that makes someone take action.

文化遺産—cultural heritage

ぶんかいさん

Traditions, works, or places passed down from earlier generations.

文化—culture

ぶんか

The shared ideas, arts, and ways of life of a group.

習わし—custom

ならわし

A usual way of behaving in a community.

参加—participation

さんか

The act of taking part in an activity or event.

協力—cooperation

きょうりょく

The act of working together toward the same aim.

対抗関係—rivalry

たいこうかんけい

A relationship in which people or groups try to do better than each other.

訓練—training

くんれん

Repeated practice used to improve ability or fitness.

情熱—enthusiasm

じょうねつ

Strong excitement and eager interest in an activity.

自信—confidence

じしん

Belief in one’s own ability to do something well.

満足感—satisfaction

まんぞくかん

A pleased feeling that something is good enough or complete.

誇り—pride

ほこり

Pleasure felt because of something good one has done or belongs to.

規律—discipline

きりつ

The practice of following rules and controlling one’s actions.

戦略—strategy

せんりゃく

A planned way to reach a goal or win a game.

決定—decision

けってい

A choice made after thinking about different possibilities.

許可—permission

きょか

Approval that allows someone to do something.

制限—restriction

せいげん

A rule or condition that limits what can be done.

保護—protection

ほご

The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm.

危険性—risk

きけんせい

The possibility that harm or loss may happen.

報酬—reward

ほうしゅう

Something given in return for effort or good action.

罰—penalty

ばつ

A punishment for breaking a rule in a game or activity.

入場券—admission ticket

にゅうじょうけん

A ticket that allows a person to enter a place or event.

会場—venue

かいじょう

The place where an event or activity is held.

日程—schedule

にってい

A plan showing when activities or events will happen.

開幕—opening

かいまく

The official beginning of an event or performance.

閉幕—closing

へいまく

The official end of an event or performance.