Truth or Dare in Many Languages
The truth or dare of your youth is a game with nearly universal appeal. The reason is simple. More than just a pajama-party diversion, gameplay allows young people, just as their bodies are undergoing the hormonal shift into adulthood, a chance to explore topics that are often considered taboo in the wider society. Within the secure zone of their peer group and fortified with the loophole afforded by the “dare” element, participants are freed to broach topics that might be subject to censure in other contexts.
Truth or Dare for English Language Learners employs a wider topical range, of course, but still leverages for the classroom, those elements of traditional gameplay that make truth or dare a powerful communication tool.
Below is a list of nearly identical games from many corners of the globe. If you know of parallel games in other languages send us an e-mail and we’ll add them to the list. If you notice any incorrect info drop us a line as well so we can right that folly.| Language | Game Name | Transcription | Literal Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandarin Chinese | 真心話大冒險 | zhēnxīnhuà dàmàoxiǎn | Truth or Risk |
| Japanese | 真実ゲーム 王様ゲーム |
shinjitsu ge-mu or oosama ge-mu |
Truth game or King game |
| Korean | 진실게임 | jinsil geim | Truth game |
| Russian | Истины или осмеливается | Truth or Dare | |
| Finnish | Totuus vai tehtävä | Truth or Task | |
| Swedish | sanning eller konsekvens |
Truth or Impact | |
| German | Wahrheit oder Pflicht | Truth or Duty | |
| Dutch | waarheid of uitdaging | Truth or Challenge | |
| French | action ou verité | Action or Truth | |
| Italian | vero o falso | Truth or Falsehood | Portuguese | verdade ou desafio | Truth or Challenge |
| Spanish | Juego de la botella | The Bottle Game | |
| Mexican Spanish | verdad o mentira | Truth or Lie | |
| Turkish | doğruluk mu cesaret mi | Dare to face the truth | |
| Arabic | الحقيقة او يجرؤ | Truth or Dare | |
| Farsi | شاه دزد | Shah Dozd | King Thief Game |
| Hebrew | אמת או חובה | Truth or Duty |
