劇|げきgeki[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noundrama; play
   劇げきはちょうど定刻ていこくに始はじまった。↗

   The play began exactly on time.
2. nounpowerful drugabbr of 劇薬

• Synonym演劇えんげきNeutralRefers to theatre as an art form, as in 「演劇部」, and leans toward written style; 「劇」 can also mean one specific play.
• Synonym芝居しばいNeutralMeans drama but also acting or putting on an act to deceive, as in 「芝居を打つ」; common in everyday speech.
• SynonymドラマNeutralA loanword that mostly means TV dramas, as in 「連続ドラマ」, and can also refer to dramatic real-life incidents.
• Synonym戯曲ぎきょくWrittenRefers to the script or a literary work written in script form, focusing on the text; 「劇」 centers on the staged performance.
• Related演戯えんぎWrittenA rare written word for drama or acting; in everyday use say 「演劇」 or 「演技」 instead.

For one specific play, use 「劇」; for theatre as an art form, 「演劇」; in casual speech, 「芝居」; for TV dramas, 「ドラマ」; for the script or text itself, 「戯曲」. 「演戯」 is rare written style.

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

1. (ゲキ) 芸術げいじゅつ形式けいしきの一ひとつ。台本だいほんや筋書すじがきに基もとづいて、ある行為こういが観衆かんしゅうの眼前がんぜんで実際じっさいに演えんじられるもの。演劇えんげき。芝居しばい。ドラマ。
2. (ゲキ) 一連いちれんの行動こうどうを演劇えんげきになぞらえた表現ひょうげん。