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芝居 (しばい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

芝しば居い

し

ば

い

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

noun

play; drama; theatrical performance

Refers to a stage play or theatrical performance. Can also be used figuratively for pretense or acting in real life.

来らい月げつ、新あたらしい芝しば居いを見みに行いく予よ定ていです。
I plan to go see a new play next month.
彼かれの涙

なみだ

は

芝しば

居い

だっ

た

。

His tears were just an act.

Written forms

芝しば居いUsage99%
Standard kanji spelling for theatrical play or drama.
しばいUsage1%

Kanji

芝turf, lawn
居reside, to be, exist

Similar words

演えん劇げき
演劇 is a broader term for theatre or drama as an art form, while 芝居 often refers to a specific play or performance, and can imply traditional or colloquial nuance.
舞ぶ台たい
舞台 means 'stage' or 'setting', and can refer to the physical stage or a theatrical production, but 芝居 focuses on the play itself.

Etymology

Compound of 芝 (しば, 'turf, lawn') and 居 (い, 'being, sitting'). Originally referred to performances on grassy areas or temporary stages, later generalized to mean theatrical play.