講演|こうえんkouen[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verblecture; address; speech
    今夜こんやの講演こうえんは誰だれですか。↗
    Who is going to speak tonight?
Conjugation
Dictionary form講演する(こうえんする)
Polite (masu)講演します(こうえんします)
Negative (nai)講演しない(こうえんしない)
polite (masen)講演しません(こうえんしません)
classical zu / nu講演せず・講演せぬ(こうえんせず・こうえんせぬ)
Past (ta)講演した(こうえんした)
polite (mashita)講演しました(こうえんしました)
Past negative (nakatta)講演しなかった(こうえんしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)講演しませんでした(こうえんしませんでした)
Te form講演して(こうえんして)
Potential講演できる(こうえんできる)
Passive講演される(こうえんされる)
Causative講演させる(こうえんさせる)
Causative passive講演させられる(こうえんさせられる)
Conditional (ba)講演すれば(こうえんすれば)
tara講演したら(こうえんしたら)
Volitional講演しよう(こうえんしよう)
polite (mashou)講演しましょう(こうえんしましょう)
Imperative講演しろ(こうえんしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym講話こうわNeutralNeutral. A plain, accessible talk, often at schools or in religious settings, as in 「校長講話」; gentler and warmer than 「講演」.
  • RelatedスピーチNeutralLoanword, neutral. Often a toast or short speech at a wedding or party, or a speech contest; 「講演」 is a longer explanatory talk to an audience on a set topic.
  • RelatedレクチャーNeutralLoanword, neutral. Means explaining or teaching, and also quick practical instruction, as in 「使い方をレクチャーする」; 「講演」 is a formal talk before an audience.
  • Related演説えんぜつWrittenWritten/formal prose. Stating one's views publicly to persuade listeners, as in 「街頭演説」, with a political flavor; 「講演」 centers on imparting knowledge.
  • Related論議ろんぎWrittenWritten/formal prose. People discussing and debating an issue together, as in 「論議を呼ぶ」; a many-voiced exchange, while 「講演」 is one person addressing an audience.
  • Related議論ぎろんNeutralNeutral. A two-way discussion in which several people put forward their own views; 「講演」 is one-way, delivered to listeners.
  • Related討論とうろんNeutralNeutral. Several people exchanging and debating views on a set topic, as in 「討論会」; 「講演」 is a solo talk.
  • Related討議とうぎWrittenWritten/formal prose. Discussion aimed at reaching a conclusion, mostly at meetings; unlike the one-way address of 「講演」.
  • Related談話だんわNeutralNeutral. Conversation, or an informal statement of views, as in 「首相談話」; 「講演」 is a formal address before an audience.
  • Related講ずるこうずるWrittenWritten/formal prose verb. Can mean giving a lecture, but is more often met in 「対策を講ずる」, to take measures.
  • Related論じるろんじるWrittenWritten/formal prose verb. Setting out one's thinking on a topic in an orderly way, in speech or writing, and also arguing; 「講演」 is a single address to an audience.
  • Related論ずるろんずるWrittenWritten/formal prose. An older form of 「論じる」 with the same meaning, carrying an even stronger literary flavor.
  • Related式辞しきじFormalFormal. The address given by a representative at a ceremony, confined to such occasions; 「講演」 is a talk on a chosen topic.
  • Related講じるこうじるWrittenWritten/formal prose verb. Can mean lecturing on a subject, but is more often seen in 「策を講じる」, to devise or take steps.
  • Related談論だんろんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Talking things over and debating; seen mostly in 「談論風発」 and rare in daily use.
  • RelatedディスカッションNeutralLoanword, neutral. A discussion or seminar session joined by many people; 「講演」 has a single main speaker.
  • Related講義こうぎNeutralNeutral. Systematic teaching in a university course, as in 「講義に出る」, part of a curriculum; 「講演」 is usually a one-off lecture.
  • Related講説こうせつWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare. A lecture-style explanation; in everyday speech use 「講義」 or 「講演」 instead.
  • Related演述えんじゅつWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare. Setting out one's thoughts or claims; in everyday use prefer 「講演」 or 「述べる」.
  • Related辞じWrittenWritten/formal prose. Addresses for formal occasions, fixed in phrases like 「開会の辞」 and 「祝辞」; 「講演」 is a talk developed on a topic.
  • Antonym聴講ちょうこうWrittenWritten/formal prose. Attending or auditing a lecture; the listening side, standing opposite 「講演」 as the act of speaking.

Use 「講演」 for a lecture on a topic delivered to an audience. For university teaching choose 「講義」, for a toast or short address 「スピーチ」, for a political speech 「演説」, and for multi-way debate 「議論」 or 「討論」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. ある題目だいもくについて聴衆ちょうしゅうの前まえで話はなしをすること。また、その話はなし。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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