遊(あそ)ぶ

あそぶ
verb (godan)
to play, to hang out
1. to play
To engage in recreational activities for enjoyment. Used for children's play, games, and leisure activities.
子供(こども)たちは公園(こうえん)で遊(あそ)んでいます。
The children are playing in the park.
子供(こども)は外(そと)で遊(あそ)ぶのが好(す)きだ。
Children like to play outside.
ゲームで遊(あそ)ぼう。
Let's play a game.
犬(いぬ)と遊(あそ)んでいた。
I was playing with the dog.
砂場(すなば)で遊(あそ)んでいる子供(こども)たちがいる。
There are children playing in the sandbox.
2. to hang out, to spend time together
Casual way to describe spending leisure time with friends. Very common among young people.
週末(しゅうまつ)、友達(ともだち)と遊(あそ)びました。
I hung out with friends on the weekend.
遊(あそ)びに来(き)てください。
Please come visit (to hang out).
遊びに行く/来る = to go/come to hang out
今度(こんど)遊(あそ)びに行(い)っていい？
Can I come hang out next time?
昨日(きのう)は一日(いちにち)友達(ともだち)と遊(あそ)んだ。
Yesterday I spent the whole day hanging out with friends.
暇(ひま)な時(とき)、一緒(いっしょ)に遊(あそ)ぼうよ。
Let's hang out together when you're free.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). No transitive pair. Pattern: Xで遊(あそ)ぶ (play at X) or Xと遊(あそ)ぶ (play with X).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action. 遊(あそ)んでいる = 'is playing/hanging out.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 友達(ともだち)と遊(あそ)ぶ (hang out with friends)
  • 公園(こうえん)で遊(あそ)ぶ (play in the park)
  • 遊(あそ)びに行(い)く (go to hang out/visit)
  • 遊(あそ)びに来(く)る (come to visit/hang out)

The 遊(あそ)びに pattern is extremely common for casual social visits.

basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:08 · Revised 2026.2.10 6:37
00500/00550_asobu