演芸(えんげい)

えんげい
noun
performing arts, stage entertainment
1. performing arts, variety entertainment
Live stage entertainment performed before an audience, especially traditional Japanese variety acts such as rakugo, manzai, magic, and storytelling. Refers to the genre of popular entertainment rather than high art forms like kabuki or noh.
演芸(えんげい)番組(ばんぐみ)を見(み)る。
I watch a variety entertainment show.
浅草(あさくさ)は演芸(えんげい)の街(まち)として知(し)られている。
Asakusa is known as a town of performing arts.
地域(ちいき)の文化(ぶんか)センターで演芸(えんげい)大会(たいかい)が開(ひら)かれ、落語(らくご)や漫才(まんざい)が披露(ひろう)された。
A performing arts show was held at the community cultural center, featuring rakugo and manzai.

USAGE:
Refers specifically to popular stage entertainment, especially Japanese traditional variety acts. The word covers a broad category including 落語(らくご) (comic storytelling), 漫才(まんざい) (stand-up comedy duo), 手品(てじな) (magic), 講談(こうだん) (dramatic storytelling), and similar acts. It does not typically include high art forms like 歌舞伎(かぶき) or 能(のう).

Do not confuse with the homophone 園芸(えんげい) (gardening, horticulture), which uses different kanji.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 演芸(えんげい)場(じょう): variety theater, entertainment hall
  • 演芸(えんげい)番組(ばんぐみ): variety show (TV/radio)
  • 演芸(えんげい)大会(たいかい): performing arts event/competition
  • 大衆(たいしゅう)演芸(えんげい): popular entertainment
general
Added 2026.2.24 21:44
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