Translation guide
The English verb 'entertain' has several distinct meanings: to amuse or provide enjoyment, to host guests, and to consider an idea. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each.
To keep someone interested, amused, or happy, often through performance, conversation, or activities.
To receive guests and provide them with food, drink, or activities, often in one's home.
To think about or be willing to accept an idea, suggestion, or proposal.
The most common and natural way to say 'entertain' in the sense of considering an idea. It implies careful examination or deliberation.
彼の提案を検討してみます。
I will entertain his proposal.
Avoid using 楽しませる or もてなす when you mean 'to consider an idea'. These would sound nonsensical. Use 検討する or 考慮する instead.
楽しませる focuses on amusing or delighting someone, while もてなす focuses on hosting and providing hospitality. Use 楽しませる for performances or jokes, and もてなす for having guests over.
The most direct and common way to say 'entertain' in the sense of amusing or delighting someone. It is the causative form of 楽しむ (to enjoy).
彼は冗談でみんなを楽しませた。
He entertained everyone with jokes.
子供たちを楽しませるのは大変だ。
It's hard work entertaining children.
Often used reflexively or in passive-like constructions to mean 'enjoy oneself' or 'be entertained'. Not directly 'to entertain someone' but useful for describing the experience.
観客はショーを楽しんだ。
The audience enjoyed (were entertained by) the show.
Means 'to please' or 'to delight'. Stronger emotional nuance than 楽しませる. Often used when making someone happy through a gesture or gift.
彼女は歌で両親を喜ばせた。
She entertained (delighted) her parents with a song.
Primarily means 'to host' or 'to treat hospitably', but can imply entertaining guests with food, drink, or activities. See the 'host guests' meaning for more detail.
彼らは手品で客をもてなした。
They entertained the guests with magic tricks.
The standard verb for hosting and entertaining guests, implying warm hospitality. Often used in the context of home entertaining or formal receptions.
週末に友人を家にもてなす予定です。
I plan to entertain friends at home this weekend.
彼は客をもてなすのが上手だ。
He is good at entertaining guests.
A noun phrase meaning 'hospitality' or 'entertaining guests'. Often used to describe the act of hosting with a spirit of selfless service. Common in Japanese culture.
日本のおもてなしは世界に知られている。
Japanese hospitality (entertaining guests) is known worldwide.
Refers to entertaining clients or business associates, often with meals or drinks. Has a formal, business context. Can imply wining and dining.
取引先を接待するために料亭を予約した。
I reserved a traditional restaurant to entertain our business clients.
That possibility is worth entertaining.
Means 'to take into consideration'. Slightly more formal than 検討する, often used when weighing factors or opinions.
彼の意見を考慮に入れます。
I will entertain his opinion.
Literally 'to accept'. Can be used when you are willing to entertain an idea to the point of accepting it. Stronger than just considering.
彼女は新しい考えを受け入れる用意がある。
She is ready to entertain new ideas.