How to say "cast" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe entertainment sense: the cast of a film or play as a group, an individual cast member, or a role. This is the word to use when talking about who appears in a production.
- 映すうつすgodan verb, transitive verbA verb: to project, to reflect, or to cast a shadow. Use it when something throws a shadow or an image onto a surface, not for the theatrical or metalworking senses.
- 鋳るいるichidan verb, transitive verbThe metalworking verb: to cast metal, and also to mint or coin. Choose this for casting in manufacturing; it does not cover the theatrical or medical senses.
- nounThe medical sense: a plaster cast, such as one fitted after a broken bone. When English 'cast' means the plaster shell on a limb, this is the word you want.
- 配役はいやくnounCovers casting: the assignment of roles in a play or film, and by extension the cast itself. For the actors as a group, キャスト is the more direct word.
Use 「キャスト」 for a film or play's cast, 配役 for casting or role assignment, 「映す」 to cast a shadow or project an image, 「鋳る」 to cast metal, and 「ギプス」 for a plaster cast.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- キャストcast (of a film, play, etc.)
- 映すうつすto project
- 鋳るいるto cast
- ギプスplaster cast
- 配役はいやくcasting (of a play, film, etc.)
- 投じるとうじるto throw
- 落とすおとすto drop
- 投げるなげるto throw
- 顔ぶれかおぶれpersonnel
- 投ずるとうずるto throw
- 躍らすおどらすto throw (oneself)
- はりすleader
- 躍らせるおどらせるto throw (oneself)
- 出演者しゅつえんしゃperformer
- 版はんplate
- 振るふるto cast (actor)
- 陣容じんようlineup (of a team, etc.)
- 入れるいれるto cast (a vote)
- 打つうつto sprinkle
- はさむto harbour (feelings)
See also
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