Translation guide
Hanafuda are traditional Japanese playing cards used for various matching games. The term refers to the cards themselves, the games played with them, and the cultural practice surrounding them.
Referring to the physical deck of hanafuda cards.
The standard term for the cards. Literally 'flower cards'.
祖母の家で古い花札を見つけた。
I found an old hanafuda deck at my grandmother's house.
Referring to the activity of playing a hanafuda game, such as Koi-Koi or Hachi-Hachi.
The most common way to say 'play hanafuda'.
お正月に家族で花札をしました。
We played hanafuda with the family during New Year's.
A slightly more casual way to say 'play with hanafuda cards'.
子供たちが花札で遊んでいる。
The kids are playing with hanafuda cards.
Naming popular hanafuda game variants.
The most popular two-player hanafuda game. Often simply called 'Koi-Koi'.
こいこいのルールを教えてください。
Please teach me the rules of Koi-Koi.
A traditional hanafuda game for three or more players, popular in the Kansai region.
A simpler matching game often played by beginners or children.
Referring to hanafuda in a cultural, historical, or aesthetic context, such as in art, movies, or Nintendo's origin.
Used in contexts discussing traditional games, Japanese culture, or history.
任天堂はもともと花札の製造会社だった。
Nintendo was originally a hanafuda manufacturing company.
花札の絵柄は日本の四季を表している。
The designs on hanafuda cards represent the four seasons of Japan.
While 花札 literally means 'flower cards', it specifically refers to this traditional Japanese deck. Do not use it for Western playing cards (トランプ) or other card types.
Hachi-Hachi is often played in the Kansai region.
花合わせは子供でも簡単にできる。
Hana-awase is easy enough for children to play.