How to say "opera" in Japanese

• オペラCommon
  nounThe katakana loanword; the all-purpose word for opera as an art form, for individual works, and for performances. When in doubt, this is the word to reach for.
  彼かれはオペラを書かいた。↗

  He wrote the score of the opera.
• 歌劇かげきCommon
  nounThe kanji equivalent of オペラ, meaning the same art form; you will meet it in prose, in titles, and in the names of opera houses.
  この歌劇かげきは５幕まくものです。↗

  This is an opera in five acts.
• 楽劇がくげきCommon
  nounA musical play — a drama built on music — and in practice the term for Wagner's music dramas. For opera in general it is seldom the word you want; オペラ or 歌劇 covers that.

「オペラ」 is the word for opera in any ordinary context; 歌劇 is its kanji equivalent, found in writing, titles, and theatre names; 楽劇 means 'music drama' and fits Wagnerian works rather than opera at large.

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

• オペラopera
• 歌劇かげきopera
• 楽劇がくげきmusical play