You don’t need Japanese to play pachinko. Most of it is buttons, pointing and smiles. Still, a handful of phrases makes staff interactions smoother, and knowing the screen words turns the light show from noise into a story. Save this page to your phone, or wait for our printable version.
Romanisation is simplified for English speakers. Long vowels are marked (ō, ū) where they change the meaning.
Talking to staff
| Situation | Say | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Get attention | Sumimasen | すみません | Excuse me |
| Ask for English help | Eigo de setsumei dekimasu ka? | 英語で説明できますか？ | Can you explain in English? |
| First time | Hajimete desu | 初めてです | It’s my first time |
| How to play | Asobikata o oshiete kudasai | 遊び方を教えてください | Please show me how to play |
| Machine problem | Dai ga tomarimashita | 台が止まりました | The machine has stopped |
| Want to stop | Yamemasu | やめます | I’m finishing |
| Count my balls | Keisū onegaishimasu | 計数お願いします | Please count (my balls/medals) |
| Short break | Chotto kyūkei shimasu | ちょっと休憩します | I’m taking a short break |
| Smoking area | Kitsuen-jo wa doko desu ka? | 喫煙所はどこですか？ | Where is the smoking area? |
| Toilet | Toire wa doko desu ka? | トイレはどこですか？ | Where is the toilet? |
| Thank you | Arigatō gozaimasu | ありがとうございます | Thank you |
MARUHAN’s visitor halls say their staff can teach in English, Chinese and Korean and offer a free manga guide (MARUHAN). Find halls with documented English support on our parlour pages.
At the prize counter
| Situation | Say | Japanese |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange everything | Zenbu kōkan onegaishimasu | 全部交換お願いします |
| Snacks / drinks please | Okashi / nomimono de onegaishimasu | お菓子／飲み物でお願いします |
| This one, please | Kore o kudasai | これをください |
| Member card | Kaiin kādo o tsukuritai desu | 会員カードを作りたいです |
What the prizes are is explained in prizes explained, and member cards in member cards and saved balls.
Buttons and labels on the machine
| Label | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 貸出 / 球貸 | kashidashi / tamagashi | Lend (rent balls or credits) |
| 返却 | henkyaku | Return (get your card or change back) |
| 計数 | keisū | Count (cash out balls or medals to your card) |
| 呼出 | yobidashi | Call staff |
| ちょっと休憩 | chotto kyūkei | Short break (locks smart machines) (Sammy) |
| MAX BET | Bet 3 medals (pachislot) | |
| 押し順 | oshijun | Stop order (pachislot) |
The ball lending and counting flow is described by the industry’s own reference (PIWR – flow).
Words on the screen (pachinko)
| On screen | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 大当り | ōatari | Jackpot |
| リーチ | rīchi | Reach: two matching symbols, waiting on the third |
| 激アツ | geki-atsu | “Super hot”, a high-expectation animation (still not guaranteed) |
| 確変 | kakuhen | Raised-probability bonus mode (explained) |
| ST | Special Time: kakuhen for a set number of spins | |
| 時短 | jitan | Normal odds with electric support |
| 電サポ | densapo | Electric support (start pocket helps you) |
| 右打ち | migi-uchi | Shoot right |
| 左打ちに戻してください | hidari-uchi ni modoshite kudasai | Go back to shooting left |
| ラウンド / R | raundo | Round of the attacker opening |
| 保留 | horyū | Stored spins (balls that entered the start pocket, waiting their turn) |
| 遊タイム | yū-taimu | Yu-time (jitan after a long dry spell) (explained) |
Definitions of 確変, ST and 時短 follow SANKYO’s official Q&A (SANKYO).
Words on the screen (pachislot)
| On screen | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| BIG / BB | BIG bonus | |
| REG / RB | Regular bonus | |
| AT / ART | Assist mode (types explained) | |
| CZ | Chance Zone | |
| 天井 | tenjō | Ceiling (explained) |
| 設定 | settei | Setting 1–6 (explained) |
| ペカる / GOGO! | pekaru | The Juggler lamp lighting up |
| 押し順ナビ | oshijun navi | Stop-order navigation: follow the arrows |
On the data counter
| Label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| スタート | Spins since last jackpot |
| 総スタート | Total spins today |
| 大当 | Jackpots today |
| 前日 | Yesterday |
Labels from P-Summa’s guide (P-Summa). Full breakdown in how to read the data counter.
More terms are in the glossary.
Quick answers
Do I need to speak Japanese to play pachinko?
No. Most of the process is pressing buttons and pointing. A few polite phrases help, and some halls (for example MARUHAN's visitor halls) have staff who can teach in English, Chinese or Korean.
How do I call staff at a pachinko machine?
Press the call button (呼出) on the data counter above your machine, or raise your hand. Then say 'Sumimasen' (excuse me).
What does 右打ち mean on a pachinko screen?
Migi-uchi: shoot right. Turn the handle further so balls travel down the right side of the board. It usually appears during a jackpot or bonus mode.
What does 大当り mean?
Ōatari: jackpot. The attacker gate opens and pays out balls.
Sources
- MARUHAN – Let's Play Pachinko (manga guide in EN/CN/KR; staff teaching)
- SANKYO official Q&A – kakuhen, ST, jitan definitions
- Sammy – smart pachislot steps (lend, count, short break buttons; Japanese)
- P-Summa – data counter labels (Japanese)
- Pachinko Industry Web Reference – playing and exchanging (flow)
Facts on this page were last checked against these sources on 4 October 2026. Rules, prices and venues change, so always follow the signs and staff at the venue.
