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しりとり · the Japanese word chain

Shiritori, in English

Start your word with the last letter of the computer's word. One extra rule from Japan: if your word ends in N, you lose.
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The computer says a word. You reply with a word that starts with its last letter. No repeats, three letters or more, 15 seconds a turn. Shiritori rule: a word ending in N loses.

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How to play shiritori

Shiritori is one of the oldest word games in Japan, played on train rides and at family tables. The first player says a word, and the next player starts a new word with the final kana of the previous one. Neko (cat) leads to koala, then rakuda (camel), then dango. Repeating a word or ending on ん loses.

In this English version:

  • Your word must start with the last letter of the word before it.
  • Three letters or more, no repeats.
  • A word ending in N ends the game, for you or the computer.
  • Choose a timer from 10 to 30 seconds, or none.

Tips

The N rule makes some common words risky: lion, green, ocean, button. Think one word ahead, and enjoy it when the computer has to end on an awkward letter. Without the N rule, the same game is the last letter game.

FAQ

Questions people ask

What does shiritori mean?

Shiritori (しりとり) roughly means "taking the end". Each player takes the last part of the previous word and uses it to start a new one.

Why do you lose if a word ends in N?

In Japanese, the syllable ん (n) almost never starts a word, so ending on it leaves the next player with nothing. The rule became part of the game. We keep it in English for the same tension, even though English has plenty of N words.

How is English shiritori different from Japanese?

Japanese shiritori links syllables in kana: sakura, ramen... and ramen ends in N, so that player loses. In English we link letters instead of syllables, which is the same as the last letter game with the N rule added.

Is shiritori good for learning Japanese?

Yes, teachers use it a lot because you have to think of vocabulary fast. This page plays in English; to practise Japanese, play out loud with a friend using kana and the same rules.

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