play
「play」はどういう意味ですか？
to engage in an activity for enjoymentThe children love to play in the park.
This shows children enjoying themselves in a recreational activity.
「play」の正しい使い方は？
to engage in an activity for enjoyment, especially one that is recreational or imaginative
She plays the piano beautifully.
She performs music on the piano skillfully.
They played soccer all afternoon.
They engaged in a soccer game for several hours.
Often used with sports, music, or children's activities.
to perform or act out a role, especially in a theatrical or dramatic context
He played the lead role in the play.
He acted as the main character in a theatrical performance.
Common in discussions about acting or theater.
to manipulate or operate a device or system
Can you play this video on the TV?
Can you operate this video on the television?
Often used with media devices like TVs, music players, or games.
Collocations
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'play' for activities that are fun or recreational, not serious work.
Gold Rule
Verb vs. Noun
'Play' can be a verb (e.g., 'play soccer') or a noun (e.g., 'a play').
Word Origin
Old English 'plegan' (to exercise, perform), related to Old Norse 'plega' (to move, shake).
Usage Notes
Can be used as a noun (e.g., 'a play') or a verb (e.g., 'to play'). In sports, it often refers to a game or match.