芸妓・芸奴・芸姑|げいぎgeigi[1]atamadaka (head-high)
げいこgeiko
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Which spelling to use
芸妓芸妓（げいぎ） is the most common written form of this word and the form beginners should use.
芸奴芸奴 is a less common written variant of 芸妓 and uses irregular kanji; use 芸妓 instead as a learner.
芸姑芸姑 is less common than 芸妓 and 芸奴 as a written variant and uses irregular kanji; use 芸妓 instead as a learner.
Definitions
- noungeisha
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym芸者げいしゃNeutralThe everyday, most common name for the same women who entertain at banquets with song and dance; frequent in speech, unlike the formal 「芸妓」.
- Synonym芸子げいこNeutralThe Kyoto/Kansai name for a geisha, as in 「舞妓・芸子」; carries strong regional coloring, unlike the standard terms.
- Synonym女芸者おんなげいしゃNeutralA female geisha; stresses gender, used when distinguishing from the male counterpart 「太鼓持ち」.
Everyday speech normally uses 「芸者」; 「芸子」 is the Kyoto/Kansai name. 「芸妓」 is the formal written term, seen mainly in industry and official documents. Use 「女芸者」 only to stress gender, as against male geisha.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
