演劇|えんげきengeki[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjectivedrama; theatre; theater; play
   私はイギリス演劇えんげきを勉強べんきょうしています。↗

   I'm studying the English drama.

• Synonym芝居しばいNeutralMore colloquial than 「演劇」; also often means putting on an act, as in 「芝居を打つ」. 「演劇」 is the more formal word for drama as an art form.
• Synonym劇げきNeutralMostly used in compounds like 「劇団」 and 「時代劇」, though it can stand alone. 「演劇」 is more the name of the art form.
• Related戯曲ぎきょくNeutralRefers to the script itself or literary works written in play form. 「演劇」 is the art performed on stage, not the written text.
• Related上演じょうえんNeutralRefers to the act of putting a play on stage, as in 「上演中」. 「演劇」 is the drama itself, not the staging.

Use 「演劇」 for drama as an art form, as in 「演劇部」. Say 「芝居」 in casual speech; 「戯曲」 for the script; 「上演」 for the act of staging a performance.

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

1. 俳優はいゆうが舞台ぶたいで演技えんぎをして見みせる芸術げいじゅつ。劇げき。