pachinko

American  

[puh-ching-koh] / pəˈtʃɪŋ koʊ /

noun

1. a Japanese pinball game played on a vertical machine in which slots struck by the player's ball release other balls that in turn are exchanged for noncash prizes.

---

pachinko British  

/ pəˈtʃɪŋkəʊ /

noun

1. a Japanese game similar to pinball

---

Etymology

Origin of pachinko

1950–55; < Japanese, equivalent to pachin click! (imitative) + -ko diminutive suffix

Explanation

Pachinko is a Japanese arcade game, similar to pinball but without the flippers. If you are in Japan and have a yen for gambling, try pachinko instead of a slot machine. Pinball aficionados may be familiar with this Japanese loaner, a 20th century word that means a form of pinball popular in Japan. The first part of the word is imitative and is eerily similar to English ka-ching! the –ko on the end is a diminutive suffix. If you need a little color in your life, do an image search on the word.

Example Sentences

"Konami shifted its strategy for a while, away from console games, and focused its efforts on the amusements markets, things like pachinko machines," Mr Dring said.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025

They had no experience in the business — Sadao’s family owned a Tokyo pachinko parlor — but figured it would be easier to master than other trades.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2024

Footage on NHK television showed a pachinko pinball parlor with part of its glass wall shattered by the gust in the Kanoya city in Kagoshima.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 17, 2022

In the weeks and months that followed, shopping centres switched off escalators, factories pared back assembly line times, and pachinko gambling parlours - famous for their flashing lights and noisy machines - were temporarily shut.

From Reuters • Jul. 28, 2022

There are glimpses of a few more outlandish ideas, too, like some hilariously tall ramps and a building that looks inspired by a pachinko board.

From The Verge • Jun. 30, 2022