Sports Talk in Japanese

If you want to talk about sports in Japanese, this free lesson is for you! Listen carefully to the Japanese pronunciation and practice saying the words and phrases aloud.

Perhaps you want to play sports in Japan or join a conversation with Japanese people about sports. Either way, learning these sports words will get you started!

After this free audio lesson you'll be a master at sports talk in Japanese!

Resources for further reading:

Talking about Sports in Japanese

Practice Your Pronunciation With Rocket Record

Rocket Record lets you perfect your Japanese pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!

運動する

うんどう する

Undō suru

To do a sport

何かする

なに か する

Nani ka suru

To play something

サイクリング する

サイクリング する

Saikuringu suru

To cycle

バレーボール を する

バレーボール を する

Barēbōru o suru

To play volleyball

Talking about Soccer in Japanese

Imagine you are watching a game somewhere in Japan. This is what you might hear people around you saying about a soccer match!

ボール を パス して!

ボール を パス して!

Bōru o pasu shite!

Pass the ball!

動きが悪いぞ!

うごき が わるい ぞ!

Ugoki ga warui zo!

Bad move!

なんという ミス だ!

なんという ミス だ!

Nantoiu misu da!

Can't believe you missed that!

ゴール!

ゴール!

Gōru!

Goal!

急げ!

いそげ!

Isoge!

Hurry up!

行け!

いけ!

Ike!

Come on!

Useful phrases for talking about sports in Japanese

Try these Japanese phrases when talking sports with your friends:

私達はフットボールをするつもりです

わたしたち は フットボール を する つもり です

Watashitachi wa huttobōru o suru tsumori desu.

We are going to play football.

私達はサッカーをするつもりです

わたしたち は サッカー を する つもり です

Watashitachi wa sakkā o suru tsumori desu.

We are going to play soccer.

サイクリングに出掛けようよ、今日はいい天気だからね!

サイクリング に でかけようよ、きょう は いい てんき だから ね!

Saikuringu ni dekakeyōyo, kyō wa ii tenki dakara ne!

Go do some cycling, it's a fine day!

いつ泳ぎに行きますか?

いつ およぎ に いき ますか?

Itsu oyogi ni iki masuka?

When are you going to swim?

試合はどこでありますか?

しあい は どこ で あり ますか?

Shiai wa doko de ari masuka?

Where is the game?

テニス を しますか?

テニス を しますか?

Tenisu o shimasuka?

Do (you) play tennis?

Now you're all set to enjoy some sports in Japan. Don't forget to bring your sports shoes!

Here are a few recommended Japanese lessons to try next!

Sayōnara!

Sayaka Matsuura: Rocket Japanese

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