Guess The Word! Japanese & English Word Cards

Number of Players

2+

Components

36~72 cards per deck

Good For

Vocabulary, describing things in Japanese/English

Tags

Card Game, Japanese, Kanji, Reading

Practice describing or listening to Japanese words! With these cards you can play a custom made bilingual version of a classic party game. You are just trying to describe these word at the top of the card, and everyone else is trying to guess! Depending on if you play on “Easy” or “Hard”, you can use the words below the target word as hints, or on “Hard Mode”, they are forbidden to use..

Even if you are completely new to Japanese you can still play with the cards fully in English. You can use them to help you learn or help others learn as well. Why not give them a try?

Two sets are included: a starter set for printing 36 cards, and a noun set for a further 72 cards when you’re ready! The cards feature Japanese & English vocabulary words that are perfect for beginners, ranging from everyday items like Umbrella 傘（かさ）food like Rice Balls (おにぎり), and places like Mountain 山 (やま）。You don’t need to understand Kanji as all words feature Furigana (Hiragana written above or next to the words)!

Comes in PDF format, US Letter and A4 sizes. For printing help let me know!

Download/Purchase Links

How to Play 遊び方

The download includes two sets, a Starter set (36 cards) and a Noun set (72 cards). Feel free to start with just the starter set, then print out and add the noun set when you’re ready!

Game Instructions

Guess The Word! “Easy” Mode

2+ players | Timer Recommended

  1. Get the cards ready. Flip them to the English side or the Japanese side. Start a timer for about 60 seconds, or longer if you like.
  2. Describe the word at the top of the card. The other player(s) are trying to guess the word. For “easy” mode you can use the words under the target word as hints.
  3. The player who guesses the word correctly gets the card. Keep repeating this until the timer runs out.
  4. Pass the deck of cards to the next player and repeat.
  5. Once the deck runs out, count the cards. Whoever has the most is the winner.

Now why is it called “Easy” mode (in “quotes”?). If for example you are a native English speaker and are wanting to practice your Japanese, it could be easier or harder depending on your Japanese ability. Conversely, even if you stick with English and are playing with Japanese speakers who are learning English, they might still need hints from your card.

Choose the mode that fits your group’s comfort and language ability!

2+ players | Timer Recommended 

  1. Set up is the same as Easy mode. Get the cards ready, but flip to the language you are studying. So if you’re learning Japanese, choose the Japanese side. 
  2. Play continues as normal, however you are not allowed to use the words under the target word. They are forbidden! 
  3. See how many word cards you can get until the deck runs out!

With the other players, feel free to take turns with the deck, or hold a one vs everyone (until the deck runs out), or split into teams and take turns that way. The choice is yours!

Printing Tips 印刷について

Please check out my Printing Tips page for more information.

Starter Set

You can grab the Starter set for free from my Ko-Fi shop.

Bilingual Japanese & English Word Cards - Starter Set - Rudo & Japanese's Ko-fi Shop

Starter Set + Noun Set Bundle

You can grab these together on Ko-Fi (free for members).

Bilingual Japanese & English Word Cards - Bundle - Rudo & Japanese's Ko-fi Shop