1.
art; artistic skill; craft
Skill or accomplishment in the arts, especially traditional performing arts. Refers to the refined ability developed through long practice.
芸は身を助ける。
A skill can save you. (Proverb)
芸を磨くには長年の修行がいる。
Polishing one's art takes years of training.
彼女は若いころから芸の道に入り、今では人間国宝だ。
She entered the world of the arts when she was young, and is now a Living National Treasure.
2.
trick; stunt; party trick
A performance, trick, or entertaining act. Used for animal tricks, comedians' routines, and party performances.
うちの犬は芸ができる。
Our dog can do tricks.
宴会で一発芸を披露した。
I performed a party trick at the banquet.
あのお笑い芸人は芸の幅が広くて、何をやっても面白い。
That comedian has a wide range of tricks — everything he does is funny.
Covers both refined artistic skill and entertaining tricks/performances. The word carries a sense of skill developed through practice.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 芸を磨く — to polish one's art/skill
- 芸の道 — the path of art
- 芸は身を助ける — a skill can save you (proverb)
- 一発芸 — party trick, one-shot performance
- 芸ができる — can do tricks (animals)
- 芸が細かい — showing fine attention to detail
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 芸人 — entertainer, comedian
- 芸能 — performing arts, entertainment
- 芸術 — art, fine arts
- 芸者 — geisha
- 芸名 — stage name
- 芸風 — artistic style
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 技 — technique, skill (more physical/martial)
- 芸術 — art (more formal, fine arts specifically)