How to say "tragedy" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 悲劇ひげきnounCovers tragedy in the literary sense — a tragic drama or play — and, by extension, tragic events in real life. The word to reach for when discussing dramatic works or a sorrowful turn of events.
- 惨事さんじnounA disastrous event in the real world — a horrible accident or tragic incident — rather than tragedy as a literary genre. Suits news reports of serious accidents and disasters.
- 惨劇さんげきnounA tragic event of a horrific kind, stressing how dreadful and appalling it was. Like 惨事 it points to real-life catastrophes, not to the theatrical genre.
- nounPrimarily means drama — a television or stage drama, or a dramatic, emotional incident. Its 'tragedy' gloss is loose; for a tragedy proper this is seldom the word you want.
Use 悲劇 for the theatrical genre and for tragic events, 惨事 for disasters and horrible accidents, 惨劇 for horrific tragic incidents, and 「ドラマ」 only where 'drama' itself is meant.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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