How to say "performance" in Japanese

• パフォーマンスCommon
  nounThe loanword for a performance as an event or act — a concert, dance, or drama staged before an audience. Use it when you are talking about the show itself.
  そのパフォーマンスは冴さえないものでしたよ。↗

  The performance was low-keyed.
• 本番ほんばんCommon
  nounThe actual performance as opposed to practice or rehearsal — going live before an audience or on air, or the real take in filming. Use it when contrasting the real thing with practice.
  咳止せきどめシロップ。本番前ほんばんまえに一口ひとくち飲のまないと落ち着おちつかない！↗

  Cough syrup. If I don't drink a mouthful before going on stage I can't settle down!
• 性能せいのうJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounPerformance in the technical sense — how well a machine, device, or system works; its capability and efficiency. This is the word for the performance of equipment, not for a show on stage.
  この車くるまはあの車くるまより性能せいのうがよい。↗

  This car has a better performance than that one.
• ショーJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe loanword for a show — an entertainment performance staged for an audience. It names the event as a whole rather than the act of performing.
  これから始はじまるショーをどうぞごゆっくり。↗

  We hope you will enjoy the show.
• 出演しゅつえんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAn appearance in a film, play, or TV show — taking part in a production. It is seldom the word you want for 'performance' itself; it really refers to appearing rather than the acting.
  我々われわれは丸まる一いちヶ月かげつ間かん、ブロードウェーで出演しゅつえん予定よていです。↗

  We're booked for the whole month on Broadway.

Use 「パフォーマンス」 or 「ショー」 for a staged show, 本番 for the real performance as opposed to practice, 性能 for how well a machine works, and 出演 for an actor's appearance rather than the performance itself.

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

• パフォーマンスperformance (e.g. music, dance, drama)
• 本番ほんばんperformance (as opposed to practice)
• 性能せいのうability
• ショーshow
• 出演しゅつえんappearance (in a film, play, TV show, etc.)
• 演技えんぎacting
• 履行りこうperformance (of a duty)
• 上演じょうえんperformance (of a play, opera, etc.)
• 執行しっこうexecution
• 業績ぎょうせきachievement
• 興行こうぎょうshow
• 営みいとなみactivity
• 余興よきょうperformance (at a party or banquet, etc.)
• 出来栄えできばえresult
• 演芸えんげいentertainment
• 芸げいart
• 芸当げいとうperformance
• 弾奏だんそうperformance
• 本チャンほんチャンperformance
• 出来具合できぐあいresult
• 業わざdeed
• 言語運用げんごうんよう(linguistic) performance
• ステージperformance
• 働きはたらきachievement
• 上場じょうじょうperformance (of a play, opera, etc.)
• 手際てぎわperformance
• 仕草しぐさacting
• 実演じつえんstage show
• 所作しょさperformance (on stage, etc.)
• 出し物だしもの(theatrical) piece