游戏

• Pinyin: yóu xì
• Hanzi breakdown: 游 = 氵(水) (water) + 方 + 㫃 (flag); 戏 = simplified from 戲, originally meaning drama or play

Meaning

Game; play. Refers to recreational activities, especially video games, board games, and children's games.

Broadly covers all forms of games, from traditional children's play to modern video games (电子游戏). In contemporary usage, often refers to video games and mobile games. Can also be used figuratively.

Examples

1. 孩子们在外面玩游戏。 The children are playing games outside.
2. 他每天花两个小时玩电脑游戏。 He spends two hours a day playing computer games.
3. 这个手机游戏最近很流行。 This mobile game has been very popular recently.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, technology, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 我们一起玩游戏吧！(Let's play a game together!)
• 这款游戏太好玩了。(This game is so fun.)

Don't Say

• 我游戏了一个小时。(Don't use 游戏 as a verb — say 玩游戏 (play games) instead)

Origin & History

游 (to swim, to roam, to play) + 戏 (play, drama, game). Together: recreational play or games.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal