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Learn Japanese Gaming Vocabulary

Your First Japanese Game はじめてのゲーム — Press Start to Learn

New Game, Continue, Save, Load, Options, Quit - master the universal vocabulary that appears in EVERY Japanese game. One book, and suddenly that 'Japanese only' title isn't scary anymore.

208 words · 8 chapters

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Why This Book?

That sinking feeling when a game has no English option and 47 menu buttons staring at you. Without the right vocabulary, you might accidentally delete your save, miss crucial equipment upgrades, or struggle through every menu. This book covers the universal vocabulary that appears in virtually every Japanese game - from title screens to battle commands.

play_circle

Title Screen Mastery

New Game, Continue, Options - navigate any game's start menu

save

Save System Navigation

Save, Load, Overwrite, Delete - protect your progress

backpack

Item & Equipment

Use, Equip, Sell, Discard - manage your inventory

settings

Settings & Battle

Volume, Difficulty, Attack, Defend - customize and fight

What You'll Learn

1

Title Screen

26 words

The first thing you see in any game. Master these words and you'll never stare blankly at a Japanese game again.

はじめから new game / from beginning
つづきから continue
セーブ save
ロード load
終了しゅうりょう quit / exit
...and 21 more
2

Yes, No & Navigation

27 words

Dialogs pop up constantly in games. Master these and you'll navigate every confirmation box with confidence.

はい yes
いいえ no
決定けってい confirm / OK
キャンセル cancel
選ぶえらぶ to choose
...and 22 more
3

Save & Load

23 words

The save system is your lifeline. Don't lose hours of progress because you clicked the wrong button!

セーブデータ save data
上書きうわがき overwrite
削除さくじょ delete
オートセーブ auto-save
スロット slot
...and 18 more
4

Items & Inventory

25 words

Items are the lifeblood of most games. Know how to manage your inventory and you're halfway to victory.

アイテム item
道具どうぐ tool / item
使うつかう to use
捨てるすてる to discard
宝箱たからばこ treasure chest
...and 20 more
5

Equipment & Gear

26 words

Weapons, armor, accessories - gear up your character! Understanding equipment menus is essential for any RPG.

装備そうび equipment
武器ぶき weapon
防具ぼうぐ armor
外すはずす to unequip
強化きょうか upgrade
...and 21 more
6

Stats & Status

26 words

HP, MP, Attack, Defense, Level - the numbers that define your character. Plus status effects that can make or break a battle.

HP hit points
攻撃こうげき attack
防御ぼうぎょ defense
回復かいふく recovery / heal
レベルアップ level up
...and 21 more
7

Settings & Options

27 words

Audio, display, difficulty, language - customize your experience. Find the English option or adjust the volume here!

音量おんりょう volume
難易度なんいど difficulty
言語げんご language
日本語にほんご Japanese
英語えいご English
...and 22 more
8

Battle & Tutorial

28 words

Combat commands and tutorial vocabulary - for when the action starts and when you need help figuring things out!

戦闘せんとう battle
攻撃するこうげきする to attack
逃げるにげる to escape
勝利しょうり victory
ゲームオーバー game over
...and 23 more

Pro Tips

はじめから vs ニューゲーム Both mean "New Game" - はじめから (from the beginning) is Japanese-style, while ニューゲーム is the English loanword. Know both!
上書きしますか (uwagaki shimasu ka) means "Overwrite?" - be careful! This will replace your existing save. Look for 新規 (shinki) to save to a new slot.
装備可能 vs 装備不可 装備可能 (soubi kanou) = can equip, 装備不可 (soubi fuka) = cannot equip. Check these before buying expensive gear!
言語設定 (gengo settei) is "Language Settings" - hunt for 英語 (eigo/English) here. Not all games have it, but this is where you'll find it.
セーブ中 (seebu chuu) means "Now Saving" - never turn off power or close the game when you see this!

Why Learn With Our App?

These 208 words are just the beginning. Here's how our app helps you actually remember them.

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Spaced Repetition

FSRS algorithm schedules reviews right before you forget. Learn more in less time.

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Gamified Learning

Build combos, maintain streaks, earn points. Learning feels like playing, not studying.

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No Subscription

This book is completely free. Other books are one-time purchase, keep forever.

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Cloud Sync

Start on your phone, continue on tablet. Your progress follows you everywhere.

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Works Offline

Download and learn anywhere - on the plane, subway, or in Japan without data.

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Real Vocabulary

No textbook words you'll never use. Every word is practical for real situations.

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Start Learning in the App

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