即興(そっきょう)

Usage

即興(そっきょう) is a noun that most often appears in two frames: 即興(そっきょう)で + verb (do something on the spot) and 即興(そっきょう)の + noun (an impromptu something). It also compounds directly with other nouns without の, as in 即興(そっきょう)演奏(えんそう).

Common collocations

• 即興(そっきょう)演奏(えんそう): an improvised performance
• 即興(そっきょう)劇(げき): improvisational theatre
• 即興(そっきょう)曲(きょく): an impromptu, an improvised piece
• 即興(そっきょう)スピーチ: an impromptu speech
• 即興(そっきょう)で作(つく)る: to make up on the spot

Similar words

• アドリブ: from English 'ad lib', and the more casual of the two. アドリブ suggests departing from a script or plan, so it is the word for an actor's unscripted line; 即興(そっきょう) suggests composing with no script to begin with, and is the word used of music and poetry.
• 思(おも)いつき: a whim or a passing idea — about where an idea came from, with no implication that it was performed

Register: Neutral, and at home in arts writing and reviews as well as ordinary speech.