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言葉遊び (ことばあそび) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

言こと葉ば遊あそび

こ

と

ば

あ

そ

び

Meanings

1

noun

word game; wordplay; playing with words

Refers to any playful manipulation of language, such as puns, riddles, tongue twisters, or creative use of words.

彼かれは言こと葉ば遊あそびが得とく意いで、よくダジャレを言いう。
He is good at wordplay and often makes puns.
この詩しには巧たくみ

な

言こと

葉ば

遊あそ

び

が

たくさん

使つか

わ

れ

て

いる

。

This poem uses a lot of clever wordplay.

Written forms

言こと葉ば遊あそびUsage84%
Standard kanji spelling.
ことば遊あそびUsage12%
Mixed kana-kanji spelling, sometimes used for readability.
ことばあそびUsage4%
言こと葉ばあそび
Mixed kanji-kana spelling, sometimes used for readability.

Kanji

言say, word
葉leaf, plane, lobe
遊play

Similar words

ダジャレ
A specific type of wordplay: a pun or groan-inducing joke based on similar-sounding words. 言葉遊び is the broader category.
しゃれ
Often overlaps with ダジャレ, but can also refer to a witty remark or stylishness. 言葉遊び is more neutral and general.

Etymology

Compound of 言葉 (ことば, 'word') and 遊び (あそび, 'play'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning is transparent from its components.