鬼(おに)ごっこ

おにごっこ
noun
tag (game)
1. tag (game)
A children's game where one player (the 'oni' or 'it') chases the others and tries to touch them. When tagged, that person becomes the new 'oni'.
子供(こども)たちが公園(こうえん)で鬼(おに)ごっこをしている。
The children are playing tag in the park.
鬼(おに)ごっこで鬼(おに)になった。
I became 'it' in tag.
小学生(しょうがくせい)の頃(ころ)、よく鬼(おに)ごっこで遊(あそ)んだ。
When I was in elementary school, I often played tag.

鬼(おに)ごっこ is the Japanese name for the game of tag.

HOW TO PLAY:
1. One person is chosen as the 鬼(おに) ("demon/it")
2. The 鬼(おに) counts while others hide or scatter
3. The 鬼(おに) chases and tries to touch (タッチ(たっち)する) others
4. The person touched becomes the new 鬼(おに)

VARIATIONS:

  • 氷(こおり)鬼(おに) (freeze tag)
  • 高(たか)鬼(おに) (safe when on high ground)
  • 色(いろ)鬼(おに) (safe when touching a specified color)

ETYMOLOGY:
鬼(おに) (demon/ogre) + ごっこ (play-acting suffix). The name comes from the chaser playing the role of a demon.

RELATED GAMES:

  • かくれんぼ (hide and seek)
  • 缶蹴(かんけ)り (kick the can)
  • だるまさんが転(ころ)んだ (Red Light, Green Light)

Related Words

Related: かくれんぼ (hide and seek)
general
Added 2026.1.17 18:45 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06321_onigokko