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JLPT N115画 · 15 strokesradical 刀grade 6freq #662

drama, play

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ゲキ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

Mnemonic

In a dramatic play, an actor wields a knife (刀) as a prop to heighten the tension of the scene, embodying the intensity of劇.

About this kanji

The kanji 劇 (げき) primarily means "drama" or "play". It is used mainly as a noun rather than a verb. You will often see it in compounds like 演劇 (えんげき), which means "drama" or "theatrical performance"; 歌劇 (かげき), meaning "opera"; and 劇場 (げきじょう), which refers to a "theatre" where plays are performed. Another interesting compound is 悲劇 (ひげき), meaning "tragedy". This kanji is often encountered in discussions about the performing arts in Japan, reflecting the rich cultural significance of drama.

Example sentences

  • この劇は非常に感動的だった。

    This play was very moving.

Meanings across languages

English
drama, play
Tiếng Việt
kịch, vở kịch
日本語
劇, 演劇
한국어
드라마, 연극
中文
戏剧, 剧
id
drama
th
ละคร
es
drama
fr
drame
de
Drama
pt
drama

Common compounds

  • 演劇えんげきdrama, theatre, theater
  • 歌劇かげきopera
  • 劇場げきじょうtheatre, theater, playhouse
  • 劇団げきだんtroupe, theatrical company
  • 悲劇ひげきtragedy, tragic drama, tragic play
  • 観劇かんげきtheatre-going, theater-going
  • 喜劇きげきcomedy
  • 劇作げきさくplaywriting

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