This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

遊ぶよりはまず仕事。

Sentence Analyzer

遊ぶ より まず 仕事

English Translation

Business before pleasure.

Furigana

(あそ)ぶよりはまず仕事(しごと)

Romanji

Asobu yori wa mazu shigoto.

Words

遊ぶ (あそぶ、あすぶ)
to play; to enjoy oneself; to have a good time; to mess about (with alcohol, gambling, philandery, etc.); to be idle; to do nothing; to be unused; to go to (for pleasure or for study); to intentionally throw a ball to lower the batter's concentration
より (より)
than; from; out of; since; at; on; except; but; other than; more
()
topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis
先ず (まず)
first (of all); to start with; about; almost; anyway; well; now; hardly (with neg. verb)
仕事 (しごと)
work; job; business; occupation; employment; vocation; task; work

Kanji

Readings: ユウ、 ユ、 あそ.ぶ、 あそ.ばす
Meaning: play
Readings: シ、 ジ、 つか.える
Meanings: attend, doing, official, serve
Readings: ジ、 ズ、 こと、 つか.う、 つか.える
Meanings: matter, thing, fact, business, reason, possibly