Translation guide
The art or practice of designing sequences of movements in dance, figure skating, martial arts, or staged performances.
The art of creating and arranging dance movements and patterns.
The most common word for choreography in dance contexts. Refers to the created dance movements themselves or the act of creating them.
このダンスの振付はとても複雑です。
The choreography for this dance is very complex.
彼女が振付を担当しました。
She was in charge of the choreography.
Alternate kanji spelling of 振付, equally common. Same meaning and usage.
振り付けを覚えるのに時間がかかった。
It took time to learn the choreography.
Loanword from English, used in artistic or academic dance contexts. Less common than 振付.
彼のコレオグラフィーは独創的だ。
His choreography is original.
The designed sequence of movements in sports like figure skating or rhythmic gymnastics.
Also used for choreography in figure skating and gymnastics. Context makes the sport clear.
フィギュアスケートの振付は音楽に合わせて作られます。
Figure skating choreography is created to match the music.
Literally 'performance composition', used in scoring or technical discussions of routines.
演技構成の美しさが評価された。
The beauty of the choreography was praised.
The designed sequence of movements for staged combat in theater, film, or TV.
Specifically refers to choreographed sword fighting or combat scenes in Japanese theater and film. Essential term for action choreography.
この映画の殺陣は迫力がある。
The fight choreography in this movie is powerful.
殺陣師として活躍している。
He works as a fight choreographer.
General term for action choreography, including non-sword fights. Used in film and stage.
アクション振付の練習をした。
We practiced the action choreography.
The art or profession of choreographing.
Can refer to the field in general, e.g., 'study choreography'.
彼は振付を学ぶために留学した。
He studied abroad to learn choreography.
Literally 'art of choreography', more formal or academic.
振付術の歴史について研究している。
I'm researching the history of choreography.
The careful planning or orchestration of an event, process, or series of actions.
When 'choreography' means the arrangement or staging of an event (like a political rally or a wedding), Japanese uses 演出 (staging/direction) or 構成 (composition). 振付 is not used metaphorically.
その式典の演出は見事だった。
The choreography of the ceremony was splendid.
彼はイベント全体の構成を担当した。
He was in charge of the choreography of the entire event.
振付 is only for physical movement sequences (dance, skating, staged fights). For the metaphorical sense of arranging events or processes, use 演出 (staging) or 構成 (composition).
振付 refers to the designed movements, while ダンス is the activity of dancing. You can say 振付を覚える (learn the choreography) but not ダンスを覚える for a specific routine.