1.
comic talk; humorous monologue
A form of stand-up comedy performed by a single person, featuring humorous stories and observations. A traditional Japanese comedic performance art.
漫談で客を笑わせる。
To make the audience laugh with a comic monologue.
彼の漫談は時事ネタが多い。
His comic talks often draw on current events.
寄席で漫談を披露する。
To perform a comic monologue at a variety theater.
2.
casual chat; rambling conversation
Informal, lighthearted conversation without a specific purpose or structure.
会議のはずが漫談になった。
What was supposed to be a meeting turned into idle chat.
先輩の漫談に付き合う。
To humor a senior's rambling talk.
仕事の話はそっちのけで漫談が続いた。
Work talk was set aside and the casual chatting continued.
Composed of 漫 (rambling, random) + 談 (talk). As a performance art, 漫談 is a solo comedy form distinct from 漫才 (which uses a duo). As everyday vocabulary, it describes aimless, lighthearted chatter.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 漫談を披露する: to perform a comic monologue
- 漫談家: comic monologuist, comedic talker
- 漫談になる: to turn into idle chat
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 漫才: manzai — two-person comedy with a straight man and funny man
- 落語: rakugo — traditional seated storytelling by a single performer using props
- 雑談: small talk, chat — the most common neutral word for casual conversation