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A2 noun #4,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

テニス

tenisu Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces テニス en 30 secondes

Explication テニス in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'テニス' (Tenisu) is one of the first sports words you will learn. Since it sounds very similar to the English word, it is easy to remember. At this stage, you should focus on using it with simple verbs like 'shimasu' (to do) and 'suki desu' (to like). You will use it to introduce your hobbies or ask others about theirs. For example, 'Tenisu ga suki desu' (I like tennis). You should also learn the Katakana characters 'テ', 'ニ', and 'ス' to recognize the word on signs and in textbooks. The focus is on basic identification and simple expression of preference. You don't need to worry about complex grammar or different types of tennis yet. Just knowing that it is a 'gairaigo' (loanword) and how to say 'I play it' is sufficient. Most A1 learners will encounter this word in the context of 'Self-Introductions' (Jiko Shoukai).

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At the A2 level, you begin to expand how you use 'テニス' by adding more detail to your sentences. You will learn to use time markers, such as 'shuumatsu' (weekend) or 'tokidoki' (sometimes), to describe your habits. You also start using the particle 'de' to specify where you play, such as 'kouen de' (at the park) or 'gakkou de' (at school). At this level, you should be able to ask someone to play with you using the '~mashou' (let's) or '~masen ka' (won't you) forms: 'Issho ni tenisu wo shimashou!' (Let's play tennis together!). You also learn the difference between 'jouzu' (skillful) and 'heta' (unskillful) to describe your or others' abilities. This level is about moving from simple nouns to describing activities in time and space. You might also encounter the word 'raketto' (racket) or 'kooto' (court) in reading exercises.

At the B1 level, you can use 'テニス' to discuss more complex ideas, such as your history with the sport or your opinions on professional matches. You will use the past tense to talk about school club experiences: 'Chuugaku no toki, tenisu-bu deshita' (I was in the tennis club in middle school). You can also use potential forms to talk about what you can or cannot do, and conditional forms to make plans: 'Ame ga futtara, tenisu wa yamemashou' (If it rains, let's stop/not play tennis). This level involves understanding the nuance of 'Soft Tennis' vs. 'Hard Tennis' in a Japanese context. You might also start using the word in the context of health and fitness, explaining that you play tennis to 'undou suru' (exercise). Your vocabulary will expand to include terms like 'shiai' (match), 'renshuu' (practice), and 'senshu' (player).

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At the B2 level, you are expected to understand and use 'テニス' in more technical or abstract discussions. You can follow a sports broadcast in Japanese, understanding terms like 'saabu' (serve), 'fotoruuto' (foot fault), or 'taibureeku' (tie-break). You can discuss the merits of different players and their playing styles (e.g., 'base-liner' or 'volleyer'). You might also talk about the societal impact of tennis icons like Naomi Osaka or Kei Nishikori on Japanese culture and youth. At this level, you can read newspaper articles about tennis tournaments and summarize them. You understand the formal registers used in sports reporting and can use 'tenisu' in a variety of grammatical structures, including passive and causative forms (e.g., 'I was made to practice tennis by my coach'). You are also aware of the business side of tennis, including sponsorships and equipment brands.

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At the C1 level, 'テニス' becomes a tool for nuanced cultural analysis. You can discuss the history of 'Teikyuu' (the kanji name for tennis) and how it evolved into the modern 'Tenisu'. You can analyze the 'Bukatsu' system in Japanese schools and its role in character building, using tennis as a primary example. You are capable of engaging in deep conversations about the psychological aspects of the game, such as 'mentaru' (mental strength) and 'shuuchuuryoku' (concentration). You can understand metaphors related to tennis in literature or high-level journalism. Your language use is precise, and you can switch between casual tennis talk with friends and formal discussions about the sport's governance or economic impact in Japan. You might also explore the linguistic evolution of sports loanwords in Japanese.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'テニス' and its place in the Japanese lexicon. You can lecture on the development of Soft Tennis as a uniquely Japanese adaptation of a Western sport and its spread to other parts of Asia. You can write analytical essays on the representation of tennis in Japanese media and its influence on gender roles or national identity. You understand the most obscure technical terms and historical references. You can participate in professional-level debates about sports science, coaching methodologies, or the legalities of professional sports contracts in Japan. To you, 'テニス' is not just a word for a sport, but a window into the complex interplay between Western influence and Japanese tradition over the last 150 years. You can interpret for professional players or write technical manuals for the sport in Japanese.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

テニス en 30 secondes

テニス is the Katakana word for tennis, widely used across Japan.
It is usually paired with the verb 'suru' (to play/do) and the particle 'wo'.
Japan has a unique version called 'Soft Tennis' alongside standard 'Hard Tennis'.
It is a central part of school life and a popular hobby for all ages.

The word テニス (Tenisu) is a Katakana loanword derived directly from the English word 'tennis'. In the Japanese linguistic landscape, it refers specifically to the sport played with rackets and a ball on a rectangular court. While it appears simple, its usage in Japan carries specific cultural weight, particularly regarding how the sport is organized within the educational system and social circles. In Japan, tennis is not just a leisure activity but a cornerstone of 'bukatsu' (school club activities), where students spend hours honing their skills, fostering discipline, and building hierarchy-based relationships (senpai/kohai).

Sporting Context: In most contexts, 'テニス' refers to 'Hard Tennis' (kou-shiki tenisu), which uses the standard yellow pressurized balls familiar worldwide. However, Japan is also the birthplace of 'Soft Tennis' (sohuto tenisu), which uses soft, inflatable rubber balls. When someone says they play tennis in Japan, they might be asked which type they play, as both are extremely popular in middle and high schools.

週末は友達とテニスをします。
(Shuumatsu wa tomodachi to tenisu wo shimasu.)
I play tennis with my friends on weekends.

The word is used in various registers, from casual conversations among friends to formal sports broadcasting. Because it is a loanword, it follows standard Katakana rules, including the long vowel sound indicated by the dash (choonpu) in some variations, though the standard spelling is simply 'テニス'. Historically, tennis was introduced to Japan during the Meiji period as part of Westernization efforts. It was initially seen as an elite sport, but it quickly democratized, leading to the invention of soft tennis because standard tennis balls were difficult to import and expensive to produce locally at the time.

Pop Culture Influence: One cannot discuss 'テニス' in Japan without mentioning the massive influence of manga and anime, most notably 'The Prince of Tennis' (Tenis-no Oujisama). This franchise sparked a massive surge in interest among young people, leading to increased enrollment in tennis clubs across the country. This illustrates how the word carries a sense of youthful energy and competitive spirit in the Japanese psyche.

彼はテニスの王子様と呼ばれています。
(Kare wa tenisu no oujisama to ypbarete imasu.)
He is called the Prince of Tennis.

In a modern professional context, names like Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osaka have brought 'テニス' to the forefront of national pride. During major Grand Slam tournaments, the word dominates sports headlines and social media trends. Whether you are discussing a casual hobby, a school club, or a professional match, 'テニス' is the universal term used to bridge these different levels of engagement with the sport.

Using テニス in a sentence is relatively straightforward for English speakers because it functions as a noun that usually takes the particle 'wo' (object marker) or 'ga' (subject marker). The most common verb paired with it is suru (to do). However, depending on the level of formality or the specific nuance you wish to convey, there are several patterns you should master.

Basic Action Pattern: The standard way to say 'I play tennis' is 'テニスをします' (Tenisu wo shimasu). In casual speech, 'wo' is often dropped: 'テニスする' (Tenisu suru). If you want to emphasize that you are currently playing, you use the continuous form: 'テニスをしています' (Tenisu wo shite imasu).

明日、一緒にテニスをしませんか？
(Ashita, issho ni tenisu wo shimasen ka?)
Won't you play tennis with me tomorrow?

When discussing ability, you use the potential form of the verb. 'テニスができます' (Tenisu ga dekimasu) means 'I can play tennis.' Note the shift from 'wo' to 'ga' when using 'dekimasu'. This is a common stumbling block for beginners. If you are particularly good at it, you would add 'jouzu' (skillful): 'テニスが上手です' (Tenisu ga jouzu desu).

Describing Preferences: To express that you like tennis, use 'テニスが好きです' (Tenisu ga suki desu). To say you prefer watching it over playing it, you might say 'テニスを見るのが好きです' (Tenisu wo miru no ga suki desu). The addition of 'no' turns the verb 'miru' (to watch) into a noun phrase.

私の趣味はテニスをすることです。
(Watashi no shumi wa tenisu wo suru koto desu.)
My hobby is playing tennis.

In more advanced usage, you might encounter compound nouns. 'テニス部' (Tenisu-bu) refers to a tennis club, 'テニス合宿' (Tenisu gasshuku) refers to a tennis training camp, and 'テニス肘' (Tenisu hiji) is the medical term for tennis elbow. Understanding these compounds allows you to navigate more specific conversations about the sport in a natural way.

The word テニス is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, appearing in several distinct environments. Perhaps the most common place a learner will hear it is in a school setting. In Japanese middle and high schools, students are often defined by their club activities. You will hear students asking each other, 'Nani-bu?' (What club?), to which the reply might be 'Tenisu-bu desu'. This simple exchange carries a lot of social information about the student's daily schedule and social circle.

Media and Broadcasting: On television, 'テニス' is a staple of the 'supoutsu nyuusu' (sports news) segment. During the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, or US Open, announcers will use the word repeatedly. You'll hear phrases like 'Tenisu no zenpau' (Tennis championships) or 'Tenisu kai' (The tennis world). The commentary is fast-paced and uses 'テニス' alongside many other Katakana loanwords like 'raketto', 'saabu', and 'pointo'.

今夜のニュースでテニスの結果を見ました。
(Konya no nyuusu de tenisu no kekka wo mimashita.)
I saw the tennis results on the news tonight.

In public spaces, you will often hear 'テニス' at city parks or community centers (kouminkan). Many Japanese cities have public 'tenisu kooto' (tennis courts) that can be rented. You might hear announcements or see signs regarding 'tenisu kyoushitsu' (tennis lessons) for children or seniors. Senior citizens in Japan are particularly active in tennis circles, often playing 'soft tennis' or 'ground golf' as a way to stay healthy and social.

Workplace Conversations: In a business context, 'テニス' is a safe and popular topic for small talk (zatsudan). Coworkers might discuss their weekend plans or hobbies during lunch. Saying 'Shuumatsu wa tenisu wo shimashita' is a classic way to describe a healthy, active lifestyle that is well-regarded in Japanese corporate culture. It suggests teamwork and physical stamina.

部長はテニスがとてもお上手ですね。
(Buchou wa tenisu ga totemo o-jouzu desu ne.)
The department manager is very good at tennis, isn't he?

Finally, in the realm of entertainment, video games like 'Mario Tennis' or realistic simulations are very popular. You will hear the word in advertisements for these games or when friends are deciding what to play together. The word's Katakana nature makes it instantly recognizable and easy to integrate into many different linguistic environments.

While テニス seems easy because it is a loanword, English speakers often fall into several traps. The first is pronunciation. In English, 'tennis' has a short 'e' and a quick 'n'. In Japanese, each mora (syllable) has equal length: Te-ni-su. Avoid the temptation to stress the first syllable or to double the 'n' sound like in English. Pronouncing it as 'TEN-nis' sounds unnatural; it should be a flat, even 'te-ni-su'.

Verb Confusion: A very common mistake is using the verb 'asobu' (to play) with tennis. In Japanese, 'asobu' is used for playing games, playing with toys, or hanging out. For sports, you must use 'suru' or 'yaru'. Saying 'Tenisu wo asobu' is a classic 'Gaijin' (foreigner) mistake that sounds like you are playing with the tennis ball like a toy rather than playing the sport.

❌ テニスを遊ぶ (Tenisu wo asobu)
✅ テニスをする (Tenisu wo suru)

Another mistake involves the distinction between 'Hard Tennis' and 'Soft Tennis'. If you are joining a local club, don't assume 'tennis' means the yellow ball version. If you show up to a Soft Tennis club with a Hard Tennis racket, you will find the racket is too heavy and the strings are too tight. Always clarify: 'Koushiki (Hard) desu ka, sohuto (Soft) desu ka?'

Particle Errors: Mixing up 'ga' and 'wo' when talking about ability is frequent. 'Tenisu wo dekimasu' is incorrect; it should be 'Tenisu ga dekimasu'. Similarly, when using 'suki' (like), you must use 'ga'. Using 'wo' with 'suki' is a common error for those translating directly from English 'I like tennis'.

❌ テニスを好きです (Tenisu wo suki desu)
✅ テニスが好きです (Tenisu ga suki desu)

Lastly, be careful with Katakana loanwords for related equipment. While 'racket' is 'raketto', some players might use specific Japanese terms for 'court' (kooto) or 'match' (shiai). Using the English 'game' to mean a whole match can be confusing, as 'geemu' in tennis specifically refers to a single game within a set (e.g., 'One game all'). In Japanese, the whole event is usually called a 'shiai'.

While テニス is the primary term for the sport, there are several related words and alternatives that you should know to speak more naturally. Depending on the context—whether it's school, a professional match, or a different type of racket sport—you might choose a different term.

Soft Tennis vs. Hard Tennis: As mentioned, 'ソフトテニス' (Sohuto Tenisu) is a major variant. If you want to specify 'regular' tennis, you use '硬式テニス' (Koushiki Tenisu), which literally means 'hard-style tennis'. In school settings, this distinction is vital. Soft tennis is often seen as more of a 'school sport', while hard tennis is seen as 'international' or 'pro style'.

中学ではソフトテニスをやっていました。
(Chuugaku de wa sohuto tenisu wo yatte imashita.)
I played soft tennis in middle school.

Another similar sport is '卓球' (Takkyuu), which is the Japanese word for Table Tennis or Ping Pong. While 'tenisu' is a Katakana word, 'takkyuu' uses Kanji, reflecting its longer history and different cultural integration in Japan. People often group these together when talking about racket sports (raketto supoutsu).

General Sports Terms: If you want to talk about sports in general, you use 'スポーツ' (Supoutsu). If you are referring specifically to ball games, you can use '球技' (Kyuugi). For example, 'テニスは私の好きな球技です' (Tennis is my favorite ball game). This sounds more formal and academic than just saying you like tennis.

彼はテニス以外のスポーツも得意です。
(Kare wa tenisu igai no supoutsu mo tokui desu.)
He is good at sports other than tennis as well.

Finally, consider the word '庭球' (Teikyuu). This is the rare, traditional Kanji version of 'tennis'. You will almost never hear this in daily conversation, but you might see it in very old documents or in the formal names of some long-standing tennis associations (e.g., Japan Tennis Association is 'Nihon Teikyuu Kyoukai' in some contexts, though 'Nihon Tenisu Kyoukai' is more common now). Knowing this word marks you as a very advanced student of the language and its history.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Because standard tennis balls were expensive to import in the 1880s, Japanese players developed 'Soft Tennis' using flexible rubber balls, which remains unique to the region today.

Guide de prononciation

UK ˈtenɪs

US ˈtenɪs

In Japanese, there is no strong stress accent. Each mora (te-ni-su) has equal weight.

Rime avec

ニュース (Nyuusu) ジュース (Juusu) ペース (Peesu) ケース (Keesu) ナース (Naasu) コース (Koosu) ブース (Buusu) ソース (Soosu)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it with English stress: 'TEN-isu'.
Adding an extra 'n' sound: 'ten-nisu'.
Shortening the final 'u' too much or making it too long.
Using a 'z' sound instead of 's' for the last syllable.
Misreading the Katakana 'te' as 'chi'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Katakana is easy to read once learned.

Écriture 2/5

Requires remembering the Katakana strokes.

Expression orale 1/5

Pronunciation is very similar to English.

Écoute 1/5

Easily recognizable in conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

スポーツする好き上手下手

Apprends ensuite

卓球バドミントン野球サッカー練習

Avancé

硬式軟式四大大会審判ラケット

Grammaire à connaître

Gairaigo (Loanwords)

テニス, バスケットボール, サッカー

Potential Form with 'ga'

テニスができます。

Particle 'de' for location

公園でテニスをします。

Nominalization with 'koto'

テニスをすることが好きです。

Invitation with 'masen ka'

テニスをしませんか？

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Exemples par niveau

テニスが好きです。

I like tennis.

Uses the 'ga suki' pattern for preference.

テニスをします。

I play tennis.

Standard 'wo shimasu' action verb.

テニスはたのしいです。

Tennis is fun.

Simple 'A wa B desu' adjective sentence.

これはテニスボールです。

This is a tennis ball.

Demonstrative 'kore' with a compound noun.

テニスをしませんか？

Won't you play tennis?

Polite invitation form '~masen ka'.

あした、テニスをしましょう。

Let's play tennis tomorrow.

Suggestive form '~mashou'.

テニスのラケットを買いました。

I bought a tennis racket.

Possessive particle 'no' connecting two nouns.

父はテニスが上手です。

My father is good at tennis.

Using 'ga jouzu' for ability.

週末に公園でテニスをしました。

I played tennis at the park on the weekend.

Past tense 'shimashita' and location particle 'de'.

テニスはあまり上手じゃありません。

I'm not very good at tennis.

Negative form of 'jouzu' with 'amari'.

テニスを練習するのが好きです。

I like practicing tennis.

Nominalizing a verb with 'no'.

テレビでテニスの試合を見ました。

I watched a tennis match on TV.

Specifying the medium with 'de'.

テニスはスポーツの中で一番好きです。

I like tennis the best among sports.

Superlative 'ichiban' and 'no naka de'.

テニスを始めてから、三ヶ月になります。

It has been three months since I started tennis.

Using '~te kara' for time elapsed.

テニスの靴はどこにありますか？

Where are the tennis shoes?

Question form 'doko ni arimasu ka'.

一緒にテニスに行きませんか？

Would you like to go play tennis together?

Using 'ni iku' for purpose of movement.

テニスをすると、とてもリフレッシュできます。

I feel very refreshed when I play tennis.

Conditional '~to' for natural consequences.

テニスのルールを教えてくれませんか？

Could you please teach me the rules of tennis?

Request form '~te kuremasen ka'.

雨が降っているので、テニスは中止になりました。

Because it's raining, the tennis was canceled.

Cause and effect with '~node'.

彼はテニスだけでなく、サッカーも得意です。

He is good at not only tennis but also soccer.

Structure '~dake de naku ... mo'.

テニス部に入って、友達がたくさんできました。

I joined the tennis club and made many friends.

Sequential actions with '~te' form.

テニスは世界中で人気のあるスポーツです。

Tennis is a popular sport all over the world.

Relative clause 'ninki no aru'.

もっとテニスが上手になりたいです。

I want to become better at tennis.

Desire form '~tai' with 'naru'.

テニスの試合に勝つために、毎日練習しています。

I practice every day in order to win tennis matches.

Purpose marker 'tame ni'.

テニスの四大大会をすべて制覇するのが彼の夢だ。

His dream is to win all four Grand Slams in tennis.

Plain form 'da' and 'koto/no' nominalization.

テニス肘のせいで、しばらくプレーができません。

I can't play for a while because of tennis elbow.

Cause marker 'no sei de' for negative results.

最近のテニス界では、若手選手の活躍が目立っている。

In the recent tennis world, the success of young players is prominent.

Using 'kai' for 'world/field' and 'medatte iru'.

テニスを通じて、多くの教訓を学びました。

I learned many lessons through tennis.

Compound particle 'wo tsuujite'.

彼女のテニスのプレースタイルは非常に攻撃的だ。

Her tennis playing style is extremely aggressive.

Adverb 'hijou ni' with 'kougekiteki'.

テニスの審判の判定に、観客から不満の声が上がった。

The audience voiced their dissatisfaction with the tennis umpire's decision.

Using 'ni' for the object of dissatisfaction.

このテニスコートは、事前予約が必要です。

This tennis court requires advance reservation.

Formal noun 'yoyaku' with 'hitsuyou'.

テニスの普及活動が、地方自治体によって行われている。

Activities to promote tennis are being carried out by local governments.

Passive voice 'okonawarete iru' with 'ni yotte'.

テニスは、精神的な強さが勝敗を左右するスポーツだ。

Tennis is a sport where mental strength determines victory or defeat.

Abstract subject 'seishinteki na tsuyosa'.

日本のテニス文化は、ソフトテニスの存在を抜きには語れない。

Japanese tennis culture cannot be discussed without mentioning soft tennis.

Formal structure '~wo nuki ni wa katarenai'.

プロのテニスプレーヤーとして、自己管理は不可欠である。

As a professional tennis player, self-management is indispensable.

Role marker 'toshite' and 'fukakesu'.

テニスの試合における一瞬の判断が、結果を大きく変える。

A split-second decision in a tennis match significantly changes the result.

Formal particle 'ni okeru' for location/context.

テニスブームの再燃により、多くのテニススクールが活況を呈している。

Due to the resurgence of the tennis boom, many tennis schools are thriving.

Formal expression 'kakkyou wo teishite iru'.

錦織選手の活躍は、日本のテニス界に多大な影響を及ぼした。

Nishikori's success had a huge impact on the Japanese tennis world.

Formal verb 'oyoboshita' for 'exerted/had'.

テニスのルール改正について、国際連盟で議論が交わされた。

Discussions were held at the International Federation regarding changes to tennis rules.

Formal 'ni tsuite' and 'kawasaneta'.

彼はテニスというスポーツを通じて、自己研鑽に励んでいる。

Through the sport of tennis, he is striving for self-improvement.

Formal 'to iu' and 'jiko kensan'.

明治時代におけるテニスの伝来は、日本社会の近代化を象徴していた。

The introduction of tennis in the Meiji era symbolized the modernization of Japanese society.

Historical analysis with 'shouchou shite ita'.

テニスの競技人口の推移を分析すると、少子高齢化の影響が顕著に現れている。

Analyzing the trends in the tennis-playing population reveals the clear impact of the declining birthrate and aging society.

Technical analysis with 'kenjo ni arawarete iru'.

テニスにおける合理的な身体操作は、武道の身体技法とも共通点が見出せる。

Rational body movement in tennis shares commonalities with the physical techniques of martial arts.

Comparative philosophy with 'kyoutsuuten ga miidaseru'.

プロテニス界の商業化に伴い、スポーツ本来の精神が損なわれることが懸念されている。

With the commercialization of the professional tennis world, there are concerns that the original spirit of the sport is being lost.

Complex concern with 'souonawareru koto ga kenen sarete iru'.

テニスの戦術は、テクノロジーの進化と共にパラダイムシフトを遂げてきた。

Tennis tactics have undergone a paradigm shift alongside the evolution of technology.

Intellectual discourse with 'paradaimu shifuto'.

伝統的なテニスウェアの変遷は、ファッション史という観点からも非常に興味深い。

The transition of traditional tennis wear is very interesting from the perspective of fashion history.

Academic perspective 'to iu kanten kara'.

テニスの国際大会の誘致は、都市のグローバルな認知度向上に寄与する。

Hosting international tennis tournaments contributes to improving a city's global recognition.

Economic/Political analysis with 'kiyo suru'.

テニスの指導法における科学的アプローチの導入は、選手の怪我防止に繋がっている。

The introduction of scientific approaches in tennis coaching methods has led to the prevention of player injuries.

Scientific discussion with 'ni tsunagatte iru'.

Collocations courantes

テニスをする

テニスを教える

テニスの試合

テニス部

テニスコート

テニスラケット

テニス肘

テニススクール

テニスウェア

テニス仲間

Phrases Courantes

テニスが上手ですね

— You are good at tennis. Use this to compliment someone's skill.

田中さんはテニスが上手ですね。

テニスをやりませんか？

— Won't you play tennis? A common invitation.

今度の休み、テニスをやりませんか？

テニス歴はどれくらいですか？

— How long have you been playing tennis? Asking about experience.

テニス歴はどれくらいですか？ 5年です。

テニス肘になりました

— I got tennis elbow. Used to explain an injury.

練習しすぎて、テニス肘になりました。

テニス部でした

— I was in the tennis club. Common in self-introductions.

中学の時はテニス部でした。

テニスの四大大会

— The four major tennis tournaments (Grand Slams).

テニスの四大大会をテレビで見る。

テニスの王子様

— The Prince of Tennis. Referring to the famous anime.

テニスの王子様はとても人気があります。

テニスコートの予約

— Reserving a tennis court.

テニスコートの予約を確認します。

テニススクールの体験

— A trial lesson at a tennis school.

テニススクールの体験に行きました。

テニスで汗を流す

— To work up a sweat playing tennis.

週末はテニスで汗を流します。

Souvent confondu avec

テニス vs 卓球 (Takkyuu)

Means table tennis. Don't use 'Tenisu' for ping pong.

テニス vs バドミントン

Often played in similar clubs, but uses a shuttlecock.

テニス vs ソフトテニス

A specific variant; make sure you know which one you are playing.

Expressions idiomatiques

"テニスコートの誓い"

— The Tennis Court Oath. A historical reference to the French Revolution.

世界史でテニスコートの誓いを習った。

Academic

"テニスボールのような"

— Bouncing around or being bright yellow/fuzzy like a tennis ball.

テニスボールのような色の服ですね。

Informal

"ラリーが続く"

— The rally continues. Used metaphorically for a conversation that flows well.

彼との会話はテニスのラリーのように続く。

Colloquial

"サーブ権がある"

— Having the right to serve. Used metaphorically for having the next move in a situation.

今は君にサーブ権があるよ。

Colloquial

"ネットプレー"

— Net play. Metaphorically doing something risky or close-up.

彼の交渉はまるでネットプレーだ。

Slang

"ダブルフォールト"

— Double fault. Used for making two mistakes in a row.

仕事でダブルフォールトをしてしまった。

Informal

"マッチポイント"

— Match point. The critical final stage of any endeavor.

プロジェクトは今、マッチポイントだ。

Neutral

"エースを狙う"

— To aim for an ace. To try for a perfect, unreturnable success.

プレゼンでエースを狙いましょう。

Neutral

"ラブゲーム"

— Love game. Winning a segment without the opponent scoring. Used for complete dominance.

昨日の議論はラブゲームで勝った。

Informal

"コートチェンジ"

— Court change. A metaphor for a fresh start or changing perspectives.

気分転換にコートチェンジしよう。

Informal

Facile à confondre

テニス vs テニス

Sounds like English.

Japanese pronunciation is flat and uses 'suru' instead of 'play'.

テニスをします。

テニス vs テニスボール

Compound noun.

In Japanese, you don't need a space between the words.

テニスボールを拾う。

テニス vs テニス部

Refers to the club, not the sport.

Use this when talking about school activities.

私はテニス部です。

テニス vs テニスコート

Place vs. Sport.

Use 'de' with the court and 'wo' with the sport.

テニスコートでテニスをする。

テニス vs テニスプレーヤー

Person vs. Sport.

Use this for the athlete.

彼は有名なテニスプレーヤーだ。

Structures de phrases

[Subject] はテニスが好きです。

私はテニスが好きです。

[Subject] はテニスをします。

田中さんはテニスをします。

[Place] でテニスをしました。

学校でテニスをしました。

[Time] にテニスをしませんか？

日曜日にテニスをしませんか？

テニスをするのは [Adjective] です。

テニスをするのは楽しいです。

テニスが上手になりたいです。

テニスを通じて [Something]。

テニスを通じて忍耐力を学んだ。

テニスにおける [Noun] は [Adjective] だ。

テニスにおけるマナーは重要だ。

Famille de mots

Noms

テニスプレーヤー

テニス部

テニスコート

テニススクール

Verbes

テニスをする

テニスをやる

Adjectifs

テニス的な

Apparenté

ラケット

ボール

ネット

審判

試合

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very High in daily conversation and media.

Erreurs courantes

テニスを遊ぶ → テニスをする
As mentioned, 'asobu' is for play/leisure, 'suru' is for sports.
テニスを好きです → テニスが好きです
The adjective 'suki' requires the particle 'ga'.
テニスがします → テニスをします
Action verbs take 'wo', not 'ga'.
テニスに練習する → テニスを練習する
You practice 'tennis' (object), so use 'wo'.
テニスは上手です → テニスが上手です
While 'wa' is grammatically possible for contrast, 'ga' is the standard for ability.

Astuces

Use 'ga' for Ability

When saying you are good at tennis, use 'Tenisu ga jouzu desu'. Don't use 'wo'.

Soft Tennis Awareness

If someone invites you to tennis, check if it's 'Sohuto' or 'Koushiki' so you bring the right gear.

Flat Tone

Keep your voice level. Japanese doesn't have the 'TEN-nis' stress pattern.

Learn 'Bukatsu'

Tennis is often discussed in the context of school clubs. Learn 'Tenisu-bu'.

Small Talk

Tennis is a great, safe topic for business small talk in Japan.

Katakana Practice

Practice 'テ', 'ニ', and 'ス' together as they are very common.

Sports News

Watch the NHK sports segment to hear 'Tenisu' used in professional contexts.

Meiji History

Knowing tennis arrived in the Meiji era helps you understand its 'Western' image.

Racket vs. Bat

Make sure to use 'Raketto' for tennis and 'Batto' for baseball.

Rally Metaphor

Use 'Rally ga tsuzuku' to describe a good, back-and-forth conversation.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a TEN-year-old girl named ISSY playing tennis. TEN-ISSY -> TENISU.

Association visuelle

Visualize the Katakana 'テ' as a person holding a racket, 'ニ' as the two strings, and 'ス' as the ball flying away.

Word Web

Racket Ball Court Net Serve Match Club Coach

Défi

Try to write three sentences in Katakana about playing tennis at different times of the day.

Origine du mot

Borrowed from the English word 'tennis'. It entered the Japanese language during the Meiji period (late 19th century).

Sens originel : A game in which two or four players use rackets to hit a ball over a net.

Indo-European (English) -> Japanese (Gairaigo/Katakana).

Contexte culturel

No major sensitivities, but be aware of the distinction between Soft and Hard tennis to avoid confusion with local players.

In the West, tennis is often seen as a country club sport. In Japan, it is highly integrated into public school education.

The Prince of Tennis (Anime) Naomi Osaka Kei Nishikori

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

School Clubs

テニス部に入りたいです。
今日の練習は何時からですか？
先輩、お疲れ様です。
試合に勝ちたいです。

Sports News

錦織選手が勝ちました。
次の試合は明日です。
四大大会の決勝です。
優勝おめでとうございます。

Casual Hobbies

趣味はテニスです。
時々テニスをします。
テニス仲間を募集中です。
いい汗をかきました。

Booking Courts

テニスコートを予約したいです。
2時間お願いします。
ラケットのレンタルはありますか？
更衣室はどこですか？

Health/Doctor

テニス肘が痛いです。
湿布を貼ってください。
しばらくテニスは控えてください。
ストレッチをしましょう。

Amorces de conversation

"テニスはお好きですか？ (Do you like tennis?)"

"どのくらいの頻度でテニスをしますか？ (How often do you play tennis?)"

"好きなテニスプレーヤーは誰ですか？ (Who is your favorite tennis player?)"

"テニス部に入っていたことはありますか？ (Have you ever been in a tennis club?)"

"最近、テニスの試合をテレビで見ましたか？ (Have you watched a tennis match on TV lately?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、友達とテニスをして楽しかったことを書きましょう。 (Write about having fun playing tennis with friends today.)

テニスが上手になるために、何をすればいいと思いますか？ (What do you think you should do to get better at tennis?)

あなたが一番好きなスポーツはテニスですか？その理由は何ですか？ (Is tennis your favorite sport? Why?)

テニスの王子様のキャラクターで誰が好きですか？ (Which character from Prince of Tennis do you like?)

テニス肘になった時の気持ちを書いてください。 (Describe how you felt when you got tennis elbow.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

You say 'テニスをします' (Tenisu wo shimasu). In casual speech, 'テニスする' (Tenisu suru) is fine.

Yes, it is extremely popular, especially as a school club activity (bukatsu) and among seniors.

It is a Japanese version of tennis played with soft rubber balls. It is very common in junior high schools.

It is written in Katakana as テニス.

No, 'asobu' means to play games or hang out. Use 'suru' for sports.

Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osaka are the most famous internationally.

It is called 'Tenisu-bu' (テニス部).

Public courts are affordable, but private clubs and equipment can be pricey.

It is a very famous manga/anime about a middle school tennis team.

You say 'テニスラケット' (Tenisu raketto).

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