芝居|しばいshibai[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounplay; drama
   どの芝居しばいがいいですか。↗

   Can you recommend a good play?

• Synonym演劇えんげきNeutralDrama as an art form; somewhat formal, as in 「演劇部」. 「芝居」 is more colloquial and often also means putting on an act.
• Synonym劇げきNeutralRefers to plays as works, and often forms compounds like 「劇団」 and 「時代劇」. 「芝居」 is more colloquial and down-to-earth.
• SynonymドラマNeutralLoanword now used mostly for TV dramas, also for dramatic incidents; 「芝居」 mainly means a stage play, or putting on an act.
• Synonym演技えんぎNeutralActing itself, also skill shown in gymnastics or dance, as in 「演技がうまい」; 「芝居」 usually means the whole play.
• Related戯曲ぎきょくWrittenA written word for the script or a literary work in script form; 「芝居」 is the play itself as performed on stage.
• Related演芸えんげいNeutralGeneral term for popular stage arts like rakugo, kodan and song-and-dance acts; 「芝居」 is a play with a plot, and can also mean acting or putting on an act.
• Related見世物みせものNeutralPaid shows of curiosities and acrobatics; figuratively, something turned into a public spectacle. 「芝居」 is a play with a plot.
• RelatedショーNeutralLoanword for visually oriented shows and exhibitions, e.g. 「ファッションショー」; 「芝居」 is a play with a plot.
• RelatedパフォーマンスNeutralLoanword for performances and performance art, also for doing things just for show; 「芝居」 leans toward acting in a play.
• Related上演じょうえんWrittenA written word for the act of staging a play, as in 「上演中」; 「芝居」 is the play itself.
• Related演芸会えんげいかいNeutralA variety entertainment of songs, dances, skits and the like; 「芝居」 is a single play.
• Antonym現実げんじつNeutralContrasts with 「芝居」 as the real versus the faked: facts that actually exist. 「芝居」 by extension suggests a put-on facade.
• Antonym実生活じっせいかつNeutralContrasts with 「芝居」 as life offstage versus the play: real everyday life; 「芝居」 is what is performed on stage.

Everyday talk about seeing a play, or about putting on an act, uses 「芝居」. For drama as an art form say 「演劇」, for TV dramas 「ドラマ」, for scripts 「戯曲」, and for an actor's skill 「演技」. 「劇」 mostly appears in compounds like 「時代劇」. The remaining words name shows and entertainment events, 「上演」 is staging a play, and 「現実」/「実生活」 are the reality a play contrasts with.

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

1. 演劇えんげき。
2. 俳優はいゆうの演技えんぎ。
3. 人ひとをだます目的もくてきで、しくむ作り事つくりごと。