How to say "entertainment" in Japanese

• エンターテインメントCommon
  nounThe direct loanword, covering entertainment as shows, movies, music, and the industry built around them; the natural choice when 'entertainment' means the business or spectacle rather than hospitality or pastimes.
• 接待せったいCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbEntertaining guests rather than being entertained: treating visitors or business associates to food and drink, especially in the corporate world; wining and dining, not shows or amusements.
  彼かれが外人がいじん客きゃくの接待せったいにあたっている。↗

  He is in charge of entertaining the foreign guests.
• 娯楽ごらくJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verbEntertainment as amusement and recreation: activities enjoyed for pleasure in one's leisure time. Choose this when 'entertainment' means pastimes and amusements rather than a staged show or the industry.
  あなたのお好すきな娯楽ごらくは何なんですか。↗

  What's your favourite pastime?
• 興きょうCommon
  nounRefers to the interest, fun, or pleasure of an occasion — the enjoyment of a gathering — rather than entertainment as shows or pastimes; seldom the right word for 'entertainment' itself.
• 演芸えんげいCommon
  nounEntertainment in the sense of a performance staged before an audience — a show; use it for the performance itself rather than for amusement or hospitality in general.
  スポーツと演芸えんげいの分野ぶんやでのオーストラリア人おーすとらりあじんの卓越たくえつ。↗

  Australians excel at sports and entertainment.

Use 「エンターテインメント」 for shows and the industry around them, 娯楽 for amusements and pastimes, 演芸 for staged performances, 接待 for entertaining guests, and 興 rarely, only for the pleasure of an occasion.

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

• エンターテインメントentertainment
• 接待せったいentertainment (of guests; esp. in the corporate world)
• 娯楽ごらくamusement
• 興きょうinterest
• 演芸えんげいentertainment
• 余興よきょうperformance (at a party or banquet, etc.)
• ご馳走ごちそうtreat (esp. food and drink)
• もてなしhospitality
• 歓待かんたいwarm welcome
• おもてなしhospitality
• エンタメentertainment
• 座興ざきょうentertainment (at a party)
• お構いおかまいentertainment
• ご愛嬌ごあいきょうentertainment
• 客あしらいきゃくあしらいhospitality
• ごちtreat
• 歌舞音曲かぶおんぎょくsinging, dancing and music
• 振る舞いふるまいentertainment
• 愛嬌あいきょうentertainment
• 取り持ちとりもちentertainment
• 法楽ほうらくpastime
• お愛想おあいそhospitality
• 愛想あいそhospitality