芸人(げいにん)

げいにん
noun
entertainer, comedian
occupationleisure
1. entertainer, comedian, performer
A person who performs to entertain others. In modern Japanese, most commonly refers to comedians (お笑い芸人), but can also refer to other types of performers such as street performers, variety show talents, or traditional entertainers.
あの芸人(げいにん)は面白(おもしろ)い。
That comedian is funny.
若手(わかて)芸人(げいにん)がテレビで活躍(かつやく)している。
Young comedians are active on television.
彼(かれ)は芸人(げいにん)を目指(めざ)して大阪(おおさか)から上京(じょうきょう)した。
He came up to Tokyo from Osaka aspiring to become a comedian.

Usage

In modern usage, 芸人(げいにん) most often means a comedian, especially an お笑(わら)い芸人(げいにん) (comedy entertainer). Japanese comedy culture, centered in Osaka and Tokyo, is a major part of the TV entertainment industry. Many 芸人(げいにん) work in pairs (コンビ) performing manzai or conte.

The word can also refer more broadly to any performer or entertainer, including 大道(だいどう)芸人(げいにん) (street performer).

Common collocations

  • お笑(わら)い芸人(げいにん): comedian
  • 若手(わかて)芸人(げいにん): young/up-and-coming comedian
  • 大道(だいどう)芸人(げいにん): street performer
  • 売(う)れっ子(こ)芸人(げいにん): popular comedian
  • 芸人(げいにん)魂(だましい): entertainer's spirit

Related Words

Related: 漫才師(まんざいし) (manzai comedian)
Compare: パフォーマー (performer)
Compare: 落語家(らくごか) (rakugo performer)
general
Added 2026.2.27 16:51 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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