Japanese for Tabletop Games: Saying You Know a Game but Not Its Japanese Names
Learn to say you know a game but not its Japanese names, ask 日本語では何と言いますか, and handle card names and terms at a game table in Japanese.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
At a game table or store, you may recognize a game instantly but freeze when the staff or players use its Japanese title or call a card by a term you have never heard. The key move is to separate two things: your familiarity with the game itself, and your knowledge of its Japanese vocabulary. In Japanese, that contrast is usually built with 〜は知っていますが、〜はわかりません. This lesson gives you reusable patterns for stating what you know, asking for the Japanese name of a game or card, and confirming terms during an actual session. You will practice a short tabletop scenario where you recognize the game but need help with card names and rules vocabulary.
By the end, you can…
- say that I know a game but do not know its Japanese name.
- ask how to say a game or card name in Japanese.
- ask staff or players to confirm a card name or term during a session.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
ゲームは知っていますが、日本語の名前はわかりません。
I know the game, but I don't know its Japanese name.
GĒMU wa shitte imasu ga, nihongo no namae wa wakarimasen.
Use this when you recognize the game but not the Japanese title. It clearly separates knowledge of the game from knowledge of the Japanese name.
日本語では何と言いますか。
How do you say it in Japanese?
Nihongo de wa nan to iimasu ka.
A general question for asking the Japanese name of a game, card, or term. You can put the item before it: このカードは日本語では何と言いますか。
このカードの名前は何ですか。
What is the name of this card?
Kono KĀDO no namae wa nan desu ka.
Use this while pointing at a specific card. It asks for the name directly, without asking for a translation.
ルールはだいたいわかりますが、用語はまだわかりません。
I mostly understand the rules, but I still don't know the terminology.
RŪRU wa daitai wakarimasu ga, yōgo wa mada wakarimasen.
Useful when you know how to play but need help with Japanese game terms such as 山札, 手札, or 捨て札.
すみません、もう一度ゆっくり言ってもらえますか。
Excuse me, could you say that again slowly?
Sumimasen, mō ichido yukkuri itte moraemasu ka.
A polite request when a staff member or player uses a term too quickly. It keeps the session moving without pretending you understood.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The contrast pattern A は知っていますが、B はわかりません lets you state what you know and what you do not know in one sentence. Put the known item first with は知っています, then the unknown item with はわかりません. For example: ゲームは知っていますが、日本語の名前はわかりません。 You can swap the nouns: カードは知っていますが、名前はわかりません。 This is more precise than saying わかりません alone, because it tells the other person exactly where the gap is.
When to use it
Use these patterns at a game store counter, at a table before a session, or during play when a card name comes up. If you recognize the game but not the Japanese title, say ゲームは知っていますが、日本語の名前はわかりません。 Then ask 日本語では何と言いますか。 If you need a specific card name, point and ask このカードの名前は何ですか。 If the explanation is too fast, use すみません、もう一度ゆっくり言ってもらえますか。 These are requests for information, not claims about store policies or services.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、このゲームは知っていますが、日本語の名前はわかりません。
Excuse me, I know this game, but I don't know its Japanese name.Sumimasen, kono GĒMU wa shitte imasu ga, nihongo no namae wa wakarimasen.いいですよ。日本語では「宝石の煌き」と言います。
Sure. In Japanese, it's called Hōseki no Kagayaki.Ii desu yo. Nihongo de wa Hōseki no Kagayaki to iimasu.ありがとうございます。このカードの名前は何ですか。
Thank you. What is the name of this card?Arigatō gozaimasu. Kono KĀDO no namae wa nan desu ka.それは「山札」から引くカードです。ルールはだいたいわかりますか。
That is a card you draw from the deck. Do you mostly understand the rules?Sore wa yamafuda kara hiku KĀDO desu. RŪRU wa daitai wakarimasu ka.A little context goes a long way
At a table, Japanese players often use shortened or community-specific names for cards and actions. It is normal to ask for the Japanese term even if you know the English one. Politeness matters: すみません opens the request, and 〜てもらえますか softens it. Avoid insisting on an English name if the group uses a Japanese one; instead, ask how they say it and repeat it back to confirm.
One thing to watch for
Saying ゲームを知りません when you actually know the game but not its Japanese name.
Try this instead: Use ゲームは知っていますが、日本語の名前はわかりません。 The first part states your familiarity, and the second part states the specific gap. If you say 知りません, it sounds like you do not know the game at all.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You recognize a game on the shelf but do not know its Japanese title. What sentence can you use?
Show a sample answer
ゲームは知っていますが、日本語の名前はわかりません。
This sentence contrasts what you know with what you do not know. You could also say このゲームは知っていますが、日本語の名前はわかりません。 Adding この makes it clear you mean the game in front of you.
2You want to ask how to say a card name in Japanese. What question fits?
Show a sample answer
このカードは日本語では何と言いますか。
This asks for the Japanese name of the card. You can also ask このカードの名前は何ですか, which asks for the name directly. Both are appropriate at a table.
3A staff member explains a rule too quickly. What polite request can you make?
Show a sample answer
すみません、もう一度ゆっくり言ってもらえますか。
This asks the person to say it again slowly. It is polite and practical. You can also say もう一度お願いします if you only need a repeat.
Separate what you know from what you do not know: ゲームは知っていますが、日本語の名前はわかりません。 Then ask 日本語では何と言いますか, and confirm card names with このカードの名前は何ですか。
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