Japanese terms and phrases
This page documents word, phrases and common sentence found in Japanese text of the cards. A word listed here might be used in more than one definition, but will be listed only once.
Contents
Gameplay
A list of terms used during gameplay.
Field
English | Japanese | Furigana | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deck | デッキ | Dekki | Deck | |
Main | メイン | Mein | Main | |
Side | サイド | Saido | Side | |
Field | フィールド | Fīrudo | Field | |
Zone | ゾーン | Zōn | Zone | |
Column | 縦列 | じゅうれつ | Jūretsu | Column |
Extra | EX | エクストラ | Ekusutora | Extra |
Graveyard | 墓地 | ぼち | Bochi | Cemetery |
Hand | 手札 | てふだ | Tefuda | Hand |
Game Mechanics
English | Japanese | Furigana | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Duel | デュエル | Dyueru | Duel | |
Turn | ターン | Tān | Turn | |
Player | プレイヤー | Pureiyā | Player | |
Standby | スタンバイ | Sutanbai | Standby | |
Battle (Phase) | バトル | Batoru | Battle | |
End (Phase) | エンド | Endo | End | |
Phase | フェイズ | Feizu | Phase | |
Match | マッチ | Macchi | Match | |
Spell Speed | スペルスピード | Superu Supīdo | Spell Speed | |
Chain | チェーン | Chēn | Chain | |
(Chain) Link | ブロック | Burokku | Block | |
Damage | ダメージ | Damēji | Damage | |
Step | ステップ | Suteppu | Step | |
Direct Attack | ダイレクトアタック | Dairekuto Atakku | Direct Attack | |
直接攻撃 | ちょくせつこうげき | Chokusetsu Kōgeki | ||
Life Point | LP | ライフポイント | Raifu Pointo | Life Point |
Opponent | 相手 | あいて | Aite | Opponent |
Type (Card) | 種類 | しゅるい | Shurui | Type |
Surrender | 降参 | サレンダー | Sarendā | Surrender |
Fast effect timing | 優先順位 | ゆうせんじゅに | Yūsen juni | Priority |
Defense | 守備 | しゅび | Shubi | Defense |
Position | 表示 | ひょうじ | Hyōji | Mode |
Face- (up/down) | 側 | がわ | Gawa | Side |
(Face-) Up | 表 | おもて | Omote | Front |
(Face-) Down | 裏 | うら | Ura | Back |
Spell & Trap Cards
English | Japanese | Furigana | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Trap | 罠 | トラップ | Torappu | Trap |
Spell | 魔法 | まほう | Mahō | Spell |
Equip | 装備 | そうび | Sōbi | Equip |
Quick-Play | 速攻 | そっこう | Sokkō | Instant |
Continuous | 永続 | えいぞく | Eizoku | Permanent |
Counter | カウンター | Kauntā | Counter | |
Action | アクション | Akushon | Action |
Monster Card
English | Japanese | Furigana | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monster | モンスター | Monsutā | Monster | |
Level | レベル | Reberu | Level | |
Rank | ランク | Ranku | Rank | |
Scale | スケール | Sukēru | Scale | |
Token | トークン | Tōkun | Token | |
Tuner | チューナー | Chūnā | Tuner | |
Gemini | デュアル | Dyuaru | Dual | |
Flip | リバース | Ribāsu | Reverse | |
Toon | トゥーン | Tūn | Toon | |
Spirit | スピリット | Supiritto | Spirit | |
Union | ユニオン | Yunion | Union | |
Link | リンク | Rinku | Link | |
Tribute (Summon) | アドバンス | Adobansu | Advance | |
ATK | 攻撃力 | こうげきりょく | Kōgeki ryoku | Attack Power |
DEF | 守備力 | しゅびりょく | Shubi ryoku | Defense Power |
Origin | 元 | もと | Moto | Origin |
Point | 先 | さき | Saki | Front |
Co-(Link) | 相互 | そうご | Sōgo | Mutual |
Material | 素材 | そざい | Sozai | Material |
Normal | 通常 | つうじょう | Tsūjō | Normal |
Flip (Summon) | 反転 | はんてん | Hanten | Flip |
Special | 特殊 | とくしゅ | Tokushu | Special |
Fusion | 融合 | ゆうごう | Yūgō | Fusion |
Ritual | 儀式 | ぎしき | Gishiki | Ritual |
Synchro | S | シンクロ | Shinkuro | Synchro |
Xyz | X | エクシーズ | Ekushīzu | Xyz |
Pendulum | P | ペンデュラム | Pendyuramu | Pendulum |
Type and Attribute
English | Japanese | Furigana | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Type (Monster) | (種)族 | (しゅ)ぞく | (Shu)Zoku | Tribe |
Aqua | 水 | みず | Mizu | Water |
WATER | ||||
Pyro | 炎 | ほのお | Honō | Flame |
FIRE | ||||
Beast | 獣 | けもの | Kemono | Beast |
Beast-Warrior | 獣戦士 | じゅうせんし | Jūsenshi | Beast Warrior |
Creator God | 創造神 | そうぞうしん | Sōzōshin | Creator God |
Dinosaur | 恐竜 | きょうりゅう | Kyōryū | Dinosaur |
Divine-Beast | 幻神獣 | げんしんじゅう | Genshinjū | Phantom God Beast |
Fairy | 天使 | てんし | Tenshi | Angel |
Fiend | 悪魔 | あくま | Akuma | Demon |
Fish | 魚 | さかな | Sakana | Fish |
Insect | 昆虫 | こんちゅう | Konchū | Insect |
Machine | 機械 | きかい | Kikai | Machine |
Plant | 植物 | しょくぶつ | Shokubutsu | Plant |
Reptile | 爬虫類 | はちゅうるい | Hachūrui | Reptile |
Rock | 岩石 | がんせき | Ganseki | Rock |
Sea Serpent | 海竜 | かいりゅう | Kairyū | Sea Dragon |
Spellcaster | 魔法使い | まほうつかい | Mahōtsukai | Magic User |
Thunder | 雷 | いかずち | Ikazuchi | Thunder |
Warrior | 戦士 | せんし | Senshi | Warrior |
Winged Beast | 鳥獣 | ちょうじゅう | Chōjū | Bird Beast |
Wyrm | 幻竜 | げんりゅう | Genryū | Phantom Dragon |
Cyberse | サイバース | Saibāsu | Cyberse | |
Dragon | ドラゴン | Doragon | Dragon | |
Psychic | サイキック | Saikikku | Psychic | |
Zombie | アンデット | Andetto | Undead | |
Attribute | 属性 | ぞくせい | Zokusei | Attribute |
DIVINE | 神 | かみ | Kami | God |
LIGHT | 光 | ひかり | Hikari | Light |
DARK | 闇 | やみ | Yami | Darkness |
WIND | 風 | かぜ | Kaze | Wind |
EARTH | 地 | ち | Chi | Earth |
Card lore
A list of other words often found on OCG card lores, apart from the ones listed above.
Noun and Adverbs
English | Japanese | Furigana | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 全て | すべて | Subete | All |
Your You own |
自分 | じぶん | Jibun | Oneself |
Original | 元々 | もともと | Motomoto | Original |
Condition | 条件 | じょうけん | Jōken | Condition |
Order | 順番 | じゅんばん | Junban | Order |
Or more / higher | 以上 | いじょう | Ijō | Count above from ??? |
Or less / lower | 以下 | いか | Ika | Count below from ??? |
Other | 以外 | いがい | Igai | Count away from ??? |
As long as | 限り | かぎり | Kagiri | As long as |
Both | お互い | おたがい | Otagai | Both party |
Every | 毎 | まい~ | Mai~ | Every |
~ごと | ~Goto | |||
When | 時 | とき | Toki | When |
~じ | ~Ji | |||
If | 場合 | ばあい | Bāi | If |
Time | 度 | ど | Do | Time (counter for the occurance) |
Counting Unit | 枚 | まい | Mai | Sheets (counter for flat objects) |
体 | たい | Tai | Body (counter for "living" things like monsters) | |
事 | こと | Koto | (Thing) | |
Placement | 位置 | いち | Ichi | Position |
Name | 名 | な | Na | Name |
Owner | 持ち主 | もちぬし | Mochi nushi | Owner |
Next | 次 | つぎ | Tsugi | Next |
(Superlatives) | 一番 | いちばん | Ichiban | Number one |
Half | 半分 | はんぶん | Hanbun | Half/Divide |
Instead | 代わり | かわり | Kawari | Place of |
Card | カード | Kādo | Card | |
Life | ライフ | Raifu | Life | |
Game | ゲーム | Gēmu | Game | |
Random | ランダム | Randamu | Random | |
Coin | コイン | Koin | Coin | |
Dice | サイコロ | Saikoro | Dice | |
Points | ポイント | Pointo | Points | |
Controller | コントローラー | Kontorōrā | Controller |
Adjectives
There are two types of Adjective: the "i-class" and "na-class". For more information, see an extrenal link.
English | Japanese | Furigana | Class | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Many | 多い | おおい | i | Ōi | Many |
Little | 少ない | すくない | Sukunai | Little | |
High | 高い | たかい | Takai | High | |
Low | 低い | ひくい | Hikui | Low | |
Possible | 可能 | かのう | na | Kanō | Possible |
Like | 好き | すき | Suki | Like |
Conjugative Words
These word are japanese auxillary words, they may change by translations.
English | Japanese | Furigana | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Before | ~前 | ~ぜん | ~Zen | Before~ |
After | ~後 | ~ご | ~Go | After ~ |
From | から | Kara | From | |
Until | まで | Made | To | |
Or | または | Mata wa | Or | |
By | によって | Ni yotte | By | |
で | De | |||
In / Per | に | Ni | In | |
Nomi | のみ | Nomi | Only | |
Except | しか | Shika | Except | |
Only | だけ | Dake | Only | |
This | この | Kono | This | |
That | その | Sono | That | |
And | と | To | And | |
With | ついた | Tsuita | With |
Verb
Japanese verb is not always written in the same form, they will change form depending on their part of speech. There are two group of verbs: The "/u/-class" and "ru-class". Verbs listed here are in their "Normal form". For the rule in changing the "ru-class'" part of speech, see below; For "/u/-class'", see an External Link.
English | Japanese | Furigana | Class | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discard | 捨てる | すてる | ru | Suteru | Discard |
Add | 加える | くわえる | Kuwaeru | Add | |
Leaves | 離れる | はなれる | Hanareru | Separate | |
Inflict | 与える | あたえる | Ataeru | Give | |
Take | 受ける | うける | Ukeru | Take in | |
Attach | 重ねる | かさねる | Kasaneru | Stack | |
Reveal | 見せる | みせる | Miseru | Show | |
Switch | 入れ替える | いれかえる | Ire kaeru | Switch | |
Get | 得る | える | Eru | Get | |
Pay | 払う | はらう | /u/ | Harau | Pay |
Treat | 扱う | あつかう | Atsukau | Treat | |
Lose | 失う | うしなう | Ushinau | Lose | |
Occur | 行う | おこなう | Okonau | Occur | |
Choose | 選ぶ | えらぶ | Erabu | Choose | |
Response | 対す | たいす | Taisu | Oppose | |
Return | 戻す | もどす | Modosu | Return | |
戻る | もどる | Modoru | |||
Send | 送る | おくる | Okuru | Send | |
Place | 置く | おく | Oku | Put | |
Detach | 取り除く | とりのぞく | Tori nozoku | Remove | |
Include | 含む | ふくむ | Fukumu | Include | |
Present | ある | Aru | Present (Non-living things) | ||
Become | なる | Naru | Become | ||
Excavate | めくる | Mekuru | Flip |
~Suru Suffix and its variant
"Suru" is a special verb that can be attached to noun so that the noun turns into a verb. The verb carries a special rule of changing its part of speech.
Japanese | Romaji | Part of Speech | Note |
---|---|---|---|
する | Suru | Normal form | None |
して | Shite | Conjunction form | |
した | Shita | Past form | |
しない | Shinai | Negative form | |
せず | Sezu | Negative Conjunction form | |
できる | Dekiru | Possibility form | ru-class verb |
される | Sareru | Casuative form |
"ru-class" verb carries a simple rule of form changing form by replacing "る"(ru) with the following character to change their speech part.
Japanese | Romaji | Part of Speech |
---|---|---|
て | Te | Conjunction form |
た | Ta | Past form |
ない | Nai | Negative form |
ず | Zu | Negative Conjunction form |
Suru Verb
English | Japanese | Furigana | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Summon | 召喚 | しょうかん | Shōkan | Summon |
Activate | 発動 | はつどう | Hatsudō | Activate |
Destroy | 破壊 | はかい | Hakai | Destroy |
Target | 対象 | たいしょう | Taishō | Target |
Negate | 無効(化) | むこう(か) | Mukō(ka) | Negate |
Attack | 攻撃 | こうげき | Kōgeki | Attack |
Select | 選択 | せんたく | Sentaku | Select |
Resolve | 処理 | しょり | Shori | Process |
Change | 変更 | へんこう | Henkō | Change |
Gain | 回復 | かいふく | Kaifuku | Recover |
Use | 使用 | しよう | Shiyō | Use |
Battle | 戦闘 | せんとう | Sentō | Battle |
End | 終了 | しゅうりょう | Shūryō | End |
Declare | 宣言 | せんげん | Sengen | Declare |
Banish | 除外 | じょがい | Jogai | Exclude |
Ignore | 無視 | むし | Mushi | Ignore |
Move | 移動 | いどう | Idō | Move |
Success | 成功 | せいこう | Seikō | Success |
Present | 存在 | そんざい | Sonzai | Exist |
Confirm | 確認 | かくにん | Kakunin | Confirm |
Start | 開始 | かいし | Start | |
Tribute | リリース | Rirīsu | Release | |
Skip | スキップ | Sukippu | Skip | |
Shuffle | シャッフル | Shaffuru | Shuffle | |
Control | コントロール | Kontorōru | Control | |
Set | セット | Setto | Set | |
Draw | ドロー | Dorō | Draw | |
Increase | アップ | Appu | Up | |
Decrease | ダウン | Daun | Down |
Common phrases found on OCG card lores.
English | Japanese | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|
Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. | このカードは通常召喚できない。 | kono kādo wa tsuujou shoukan dekinai. | This card cannot be Normal Summoned. |
Can be Special Summoned by... | ...特殊召喚できる | tokushū shoukan dekiru | Can be Special Summoned by... |
...destroyed by battle | ...戦闘によって破壊され... | sentou ni yotte hakai sare | ...destroyed by battle |
...destroyed by a card effect... | ...カードの効果で破壊された... | kaado no kouka ni yotte hakaisareta | ...destroyed by a card effect... |
...this card leaves the field | このカードがフィールドから離れた... | kono kaado ga fiirudo jou kara hanareta toki | The moment this card leaves the field... |
...return to the hand... | ...手札に戻す... | tefuda ni modosu | ...returned to hand... |
When "X": "Y". | 「X」時、「Y」する。 | "X" toki, "Y" suru. | At the moment "X", do "Y". |
When "X": you can "Y". | 「X」時、「Y」できる。 | "X" toki, "Y" dekiru. | At the moment "X", you can "Y". |
...gains X ATK/DEF. | 攻撃力/守備力はXポイントアップする。 | kougekiryoku/shubiryoku wa X pointo appu suru. | Attack/Defense power goes up by X points. |
...loses X ATK/DEF. | 攻撃力/守備力はXポイントダウンする。 | kougekiryoku/shubiryoku wa X pointo daun suru. | Attack/Defense power goes down by X points. |
This card's ATK/DEF becomes X. | このカードの攻撃力/守備力はXになる。 | kono kaado no kougekiryoku/shubiryoku wa X ni naru. | This card's attack/defense power becomes X. |
...monster with "X" in its name... | ...「X」と名のついたモンスター... | "X" to namae no tsuita monsutaa | ...monster with "X" in its name... |
While this card is face-up: | このカードが (Zone) に存在する限り、 | kono kaado ga fiirudo jou ni omotegawa hyouji de sonzai suru kagiri | As long as this card is on the field in face-up position, |
Special Summon # "X" from your Y | Yから「X」#体を特殊召喚する | Y kara "X" # tai o tokushu shoukan suru | From your Y, Special Summon # "X". |
When this card is Summoned: | このカードが召喚に成功した時、 | kono kaado ga shoukan ni seikou shita toki | When this card is successfully Summoned, |
...add # "X" from your Deck. | ...デッキから「X」#体を手札に加える。 | dekki kara "X" # tai o tefuda ni kuwaeru. | ...from your Deck, add # "X" to your hand. |
This effect can only be used once per turn. | この効果は1ターンに1度しか使用できない。 | kono kouka wa ichi taan ni ichi do shika shiyou dekinai. | This effect cannot be used more than once per turn. |
Inflict X damage to your opponent. | 相手ライフにXポイントダメージを与える。 | aite raifu ni X pointo dameeji o ataeru. | Give X points of damage to your opponent's Life Points. |
Gain X Life Points. | 自分はXライフポイント回復する。 | jibun wa X raifu pointo o kaifuku suru. | You recover X Life Points. |
When X: | X時に発動する事ができる。 | X toki ni hatsudou suru koto ga dekiru. | You can activate this card when X happens. |
Activate by selecting # "X"... | 「X」#体を選択して発動する | "X" # tai wo sentakushi te hatsudou suru | Activated by selecting # "X"... |
This card can attack your opponent directly. | このカードは相手プレイヤーに直接攻撃できる。 | kono kaado wa aite pureiyaa ni chokusetsu kougeki suru koto ga dekiru. | This card can attack the opponent player directly. |
inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster's ATK on the field. | 破壊したモンスターの攻撃力分のダメージを相手に与える。 | hakai shita monsutā no kōgeki-ryoku-bun no damēji o aite raifu ni ataeru. | Inflict damage to your opponent the destroyed monster's Attack power. |
inflict damage to your opponent equal to its ATK. | その攻撃力分のダメージを相手に与える。 | sono kōgeki ryoku bun no damēji wo aite ni ataeru. | Inflict damage to your opponent the Attack power. |
Phrases
A list of phrases often used in the Japanese anime.
English | Japanese | Rōmaji | Translation |
---|---|---|---|
My turn | 私のターン | Watashi no tān | My turn (generic) |
僕のターン | Boku no tān | My turn (male polite) | |
俺のターン | Ore no tān | My turn (male casual) | |
我のターン | Ware no tān | My turn (rarely used) | |
Your turn | あなたのターン | anata no tān | Your turn (generic) |
君のターン | kimi no tān | Your turn (casual) | |
お前のターン | Omae no tān | Your turn (friendly aggressive) | |
Spell Card "X" activate | 魔法カード、「X」発動 | Majikku kādo "X" hatsudō | Magic Card "X" activate |
Trap Card activate | 罠、発動 | Torappu kaado hatsudou | Trap activate |
Special Summon "X" | 「X」を特殊召喚 | "X" o tokushū shoukan | Special Summon "X" |
Summon "X" in attack position | 「X」を攻撃表示で召喚 | "X" o kougekihyouji de shoukan | Summon "X" in attack display |
Activate the effect of "X" | 「X」の効果発動 | "X" no kōka hatsudou | "X's" effect activate |
"X" attack "Y" | 「X」を「Y」で攻撃 | "X" o "Y" de kougeki | "X" attacks "Y" |
Destroy "X" | 「X」を破壊する | "X" o hakai suru | Destroy "X" |
Turn End | ターンエンド | tān endo | Turn end |
ターン終了 | tān shūryou | ||
Draw (number of) card | カード (Number) 枚ドロー | Kaado (number) mai dorō | Draw (number of) card |
Set (number of) cards | カード (Number) 枚セット | Kaado (number) mai setto | Set (number of) cards |