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遊ぶ
asobu
to play
子供たちは公園で遊んでいます。
The children are playing in the park.
informal
To engage in recreational activities, often with others, for enjoyment or amusement.
友達と一緒に遊びに行きます。
I'm going out to play with my friends.
犬が庭で一人で遊んでいます。
The dog is playing alone in the yard.
This verb is commonly used for both children and adults engaging in leisure activities.
informal
To spend time in a relaxed or carefree manner, often without a specific purpose.
週末は家でゆっくり遊んで過ごしたい。
I want to spend the weekend relaxing and playing at home.
This usage emphasizes a sense of leisure and relaxation.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'遊ぶ' is often used with the particle 'に' to indicate the place or activity, e.g., '公園で遊ぶ' (to play in the park).
Gold Rule
Context Matters
While '遊ぶ' can be used for adults, it is more commonly associated with children's activities. For adult leisure, consider '楽しむ' (tanoshimu).
Word Origin
From the verb '遊ぶ' (asobu), which comes from the Middle Japanese 'あそぶ' (asobu), meaning 'to play' or 'to amuse oneself'.
Usage Notes
While '遊ぶ' can be used for both children and adults, it is more commonly associated with children's activities. For adults, '楽しむ' (tanoshimu) might be more appropriate in some contexts.
Word Breakdown
遊
to play, to amuse
rootぶ
verb suffix indicating action
suffix和英辞典