舞・舞い・儛|まいmai[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
舞舞 is the most common form and the recommended default for beginners; use this kanji-only spelling when writing the word.
舞い舞い is less common than 舞 and uses kanji plus kana; you may encounter it as an alternative written form.
儛儛 is less common than 舞い and uses an outdated kanji; beginners should choose 舞 instead.
Definitions
- noundancing; dance
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymダンスNeutralLoanword covering all kinds of dance, from modern to ballroom; the everyday word. 「舞」 leans toward traditional Japanese dance by comparison.
- Synonym踊りおどりNeutralNative word for dancing, stressing the stepping and jumping of folk dances such as 「盆踊り」; the usual choice for general dancing.
- Synonym舞踏ぶとうWrittenWritten word for dance, mostly Western-style; appears in compounds like 「舞踏会」.
- Synonym舞踊ぶようWrittenFormal umbrella term for dance as an art, as in 「日本舞踊」.
- Related舞蹈ぶとうWrittenAn older written form of 「舞踏」; little used today.
Use 「舞」 for traditional Japanese performing arts, as in 「能の舞」 and 「獅子舞」. For folk or general dancing say 「踊り」, for Western or modern dance 「ダンス」, and for dance as an art form 「舞踊」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- まうこと。おどり。舞踊。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
