How to say "dancer" in Japanese

• ダンサーCommon
  nounThe general word for a dancer, covering any style or context such as ballet, jazz, or professional stage dance. When you mean a dancer without specifying gender or genre, this is the word to reach for.
  ダンサーたちは楽団がくだんの音楽おんがくにあわせてステップを踏ふんだ。↗

  The dancers timed their steps to the music of the band.
• 踊り子おどりこCommon
  nounRefers to a dancer, usually a female one. Fits contexts like dancing girls or women performing dance; for a male dancer or in neutral, genre-free contexts, ダンサー is normally the better choice.
  つまり彼女かのじょは下手へたな踊り子おどりこだ。↗

  That is, she is a poor dancer.
• 立方たちかたJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA technical term for the dancer's role in a Japanese dance performance, as opposed to musical or accompanying roles such as the shamisen players. Only relevant when discussing a traditional Japanese dance performance.

Use 「ダンサー」 for dancers in general, 「踊り子」 for a dancer who is usually female, and 立方 only for the dancer's role in a traditional Japanese dance performance.

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

• ダンサーdancer
• 踊り子おどりこdancer (usu. female)
• 踊り手おどりてdancer
• 舞手まいてdancer
• 舞踊家ぶようかdancer
• 舞人まいびとdancer (esp. a bugaku dancer)
• 舞踏家ぶとうかdancer
• 立方たちかたdancer (in a Japanese dance performance)