Translation guide
A game played on a flat surface, such as a board game, card game, or role-playing game. In Japanese, the term is often expressed with specific words depending on the type of game.
Referring to any game played on a table or flat surface, including board games, card games, and tabletop RPGs.
A direct loanword from English, commonly used to refer to tabletop games in general, especially in hobbyist contexts.
週末は友達とテーブルゲームを楽しんでいます。
I enjoy tabletop games with friends on weekends.
Specifically refers to board games, but often used broadly for tabletop games that involve a board. Very common in Japanese.
新しいボードゲームを買いました。
I bought a new board game.
A more literal translation meaning 'tabletop game', but less commonly used than テーブルゲーム or ボードゲーム. May appear in formal or technical contexts.
卓上ゲームの歴史について研究しています。
I'm researching the history of tabletop games.
Specifically referring to tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons.
The standard term for tabletop role-playing games in Japan. Often abbreviated as TRPG.
テーブルトークRPGをプレイするのが趣味です。
My hobby is playing tabletop RPGs.
Abbreviation of テーブルトークRPG, widely used in gaming communities.
今度のTRPGのセッションに参加しませんか？
Would you like to join the next TRPG session?
Referring to games played primarily with cards, such as trading card games or traditional card games.
The general term for card games, including both traditional and collectible card games.
カードゲームで遊びましょう。
Let's play a card game.
Specifically refers to trading card games (TCGs) like Magic: The Gathering or Yu-Gi-Oh!
彼はトレーディングカードゲームの大会で優勝した。
He won the trading card game tournament.
Referring to tabletop games that use miniature figures and terrain, often involving tactical combat.
The common term for miniature wargames or miniature-based tabletop games.
ミニチュアゲーム用のフィギュアを塗装しています。
I'm painting figures for a miniature game.
Often used for historical wargames, but can overlap with miniature games. May imply a focus on simulation and strategy.
ウォーゲームで歴史の戦いを再現する。
We recreate historical battles with wargames.
テーブルゲーム is a broader term that includes all tabletop games, while ボードゲーム specifically refers to games with a board. However, in casual conversation, ボードゲーム is often used to mean tabletop games in general, especially when the game involves a board-like component.
カタンは人気のボードゲームです。
Catan is a popular board game.
Japanese speakers often use more specific terms like ボードゲーム, カードゲーム, or TRPG rather than the generic テーブルゲーム. If you know the type of game, using the specific term sounds more natural.
毎週金曜日にテーブルゲームをしています。
We play tabletop games every Friday.
テーブルトークRPGは好きですか？
Do you like tabletop RPGs?