Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'comedy' depends on context. The most common term is コメディー, a loanword used for film, TV, and stage genres. For traditional Japanese comic storytelling, use 落語. For humorous stage performances, 喜劇 is used. The general concept of humor or a funny story is 笑い話.
Referring to the genre of comedy in entertainment media.
The most common and direct translation for 'comedy' as a genre. Used for movies, TV shows, and stage plays.
あの映画はコメディーです。
That movie is a comedy.
彼はコメディードラマが好きだ。
He likes comedy dramas.
A more traditional term for comedic stage plays or theatrical comedy. Can sound slightly formal or literary.
シェイクスピアの喜劇を観た。
I saw a Shakespeare comedy.
Referring specifically to the traditional Japanese art of comic monologue storytelling.
A traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling performed by a single storyteller. Not used for Western-style comedy.
落語を聞きに行った。
I went to listen to rakugo (traditional comic storytelling).
Referring to a story or situation that is amusing or meant to make people laugh.
A funny story or humorous anecdote. Can be used for jokes or comical tales.
それはただの笑い話だよ。
That's just a funny story.
Refers broadly to comedy or humorous entertainment, especially TV comedy shows and stand-up. Often used in compound words like お笑い番組 (comedy program).
Referring to the quality of being funny within a story, performance, or situation.
Humor or comedic quality. Often used to describe the presence of humor in a work or person.
彼の話にはユーモアがある。
His stories have humor.
Comicality or absurd humor. Can be used to describe something laughably ridiculous. Slightly literary.
コメディー is the standard loanword for modern comedy genres (film, TV). 喜劇 is more traditional and often refers to stage comedies or classical theatrical works. 落語 is exclusively the Japanese art of comic storytelling and should not be used for other types of comedy.
このドラマはコメディーだ。
This drama is a comedy.
喜劇俳優として有名だ。
He is famous as a comic actor (in theater).
落語家になるには修行が必要だ。
To become a rakugo storyteller, training is necessary.
落語 refers specifically to the traditional Japanese performance art. Using it to mean a Hollywood comedy movie or a stand-up routine would be incorrect and confusing.
コメディー映画が好きです。
I like comedy movies.
彼はお笑いのネタを披露した。
He performed a comedy routine.
お笑い番組が大好きです。
I love comedy shows.
その状況は滑稽だった。
The situation was comical.