How to say "audience" in Japanese

• 会見かいけんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA formal interview or meeting, typically between prominent people; its 'audience' sense is the diplomatic one — being received in audience by a monarch or other dignitary. Not the word for spectators or listeners.
  我わが党とうの党首とうしゅは他たの党首とうしゅ達たちと会見かいけんし、その問題もんだいについて話はなしをした。↗

  The leader of our party met with the other leaders and talked about the problem.
• リスナーCommon
  nounCovers the audience of radio or streaming audio content: the people listening to a program. It points to listeners rather than viewers, so it is not the word for a theater or stadium crowd.
• 聴衆ちょうしゅうCommon
  nounA crowd of hearers: the audience gathered to listen to a speech, lecture, or similar talk. It frames the audience as listeners, not watchers.
  彼かれの講演こうえんは聴衆ちょうしゅうを魅了みりょうした。↗

  His speech charmed the audience.
• 観客かんきゃくJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounSpectators: the audience at a performance, film, or sporting event, seen as watchers rather than listeners. When 'audience' means a crowd watching a show, this is the word to reach for.
  観客かんきゃくは彼かれのホームランに興奮こうふんした。↗

  His home run excited the crowd.
• 聞き手ききてCommon
  nounThe listener or hearer — the person or side receiving what is said, as opposed to the speaker. For a crowd at a performance it is seldom the word you want; think 聴衆 or 観客 instead.

Choose 観客 for spectators at shows or events, 聴衆 for crowds listening to a speech, 「リスナー」 for radio and streaming audiences, 「聞き手」 for the listening party in communication, and 会見 for formal interviews or official audiences.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 会見かいけんinterview
• リスナーlistener (of radio, streaming audio content, etc.)
• 聴衆ちょうしゅうaudience
• 観客かんきゃくspectator
• 聞き手ききてhearer
• 視聴者しちょうしゃviewer (esp. of television, streaming video content)
• オーディエンスaudience
• 会衆かいしゅうaudience
• 目通りめどおりaudience (with a person of high standing)
• 謁見えっけんaudience (with a superior, e.g. nobility)
• お目見えおめみえaudience (with a lord, dignitary, etc.)
• 引見いんけんaudience
• 会集かいしゅうaudience
• お目通りおめどおりaudience (with someone of high standing)
• 謁えつaudience (with a superior, e.g. nobility)
• 来聴らいちょうattendance
• 聴取者ちょうしゅしゃlistener (of radio, streaming audio content, etc.)
• 客入りきゃくいりattendance
• 傍聴人ぼうちょうにんobserver
• 来場者らいじょうしゃvisitor
• 傍聴者ぼうちょうしゃobserver
• 接見せっけん(official) audience
• 入りいりattendance
• 客席きゃくせきaudience
• 客きゃくcustomer
• お客様おきゃくさまcustomer
• 見所けんじょaudience (esp. in noh)
• 大向こうおおむこうaudience (at a theatre)
• お客さんおきゃくさんcustomer