Translation guide
The sport of tennis. In Japanese, the word is a loanword from English, so it's straightforward. However, there are some nuances in usage, especially in compound words and verbs.
テニス
tennis
Referring to the game of tennis in general.
The standard word for tennis. Used in all contexts.
週末にテニスをします。
I play tennis on weekends.
テニスが好きですか？
Do you like tennis?
A formal or literary term for tennis, literally 'court ball'. Rarely used in everyday speech.
庭球部に入りました。
I joined the tennis club. (formal)
Expressing the action of playing tennis.
The most common way to say 'play tennis'.
昨日公園でテニスをしました。
I played tennis at the park yesterday.
A more casual way to say 'play tennis'. Often used among friends.
今度一緒にテニスをやらない？
Want to play tennis together sometime?
Using 'tennis' to modify another noun, like 'tennis ball' or 'tennis court'.
Use の to connect テニス with another noun. This is the most common pattern.
テニスの試合を見に行きました。
I went to watch a tennis match.
テニスのラケットを買いました。
I bought a tennis racket.
A compound word for 'tennis court'. Note that it's a single word, not two separate words.
テニスコートを予約しました。
I reserved a tennis court.
A compound word for 'tennis ball'.
The tennis balls got old.