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芝居がかる (しばいがかる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
be affected ; be theatrical ; be pompous
Describes speech, behavior, or mannerisms that seem exaggerated, artificial, or overly dramatic, as if performing on stage. Often used in the form 芝居がかった.
その 政せい 治じ 家か の 演えん 説ぜつ は 芝しば 居い がかっ た 調ちょう 子し で 、 聴ちょう 衆しゅう は 冷さ め て い た 。
The politician's speech had a pompous tone, and the audience was turned off.
Written forms 芝しば 居い がかる
Standard kanji spelling; the verb is often used in the form 芝居がかった.
芝しば 居い 掛が かる
Alternate kanji spelling using 掛かる; less common than 芝居がかる.
芝しば 居い 掛がか る
Old-style kanji spelling with 掛る; rarely used in modern writing.
Similar words 大おお げさ 大げさ means exaggerated or overblown in a general sense, while 芝居がかる specifically implies a theatrical, staged quality reminiscent of acting.
わざとらしい わざとらしい means obviously contrived or forced, focusing on the lack of naturalness. 芝居がかる emphasizes the dramatic, performative aspect.
Etymology Compound of 芝居 (play, drama) and がかる (to lean toward, to be inclined to). The verb がかる is a suffix meaning 'to have a touch of' or 'to be somewhat like'. The word literally means 'to lean toward theater', i.e., to behave in a theatrical manner.
