芸げい妓ぎ

げ

い

ぎ

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

noun

A traditional Japanese female entertainer skilled in classical music, dance, and conversation. Synonymous with 芸子 (geiko) in some regions, especially Kyoto.

Written forms

芸妓Usage100%
- げいぎ
  Standard kanji form; the reading げいぎ is the most common.
- げいこ
  irregular kana usage
芸奴
irregular kanji usage
- げいぎ
  Irregular kanji usage; not standard.
- げいこ
  irregular kana usage
芸姑
irregular kanji usage
- げいぎ
  Irregular kanji usage; not standard.
- げいこ
  irregular kana usage
げいこ
irregular kana usage

Kanji

芸technique, art, craft
妓stretch, singing girl, geisha
姑mother-in-law
奴guy, slave, manservant

Similar words

芸げい子こ
Often used interchangeably with 芸妓, but 芸子 is more common in the Kyoto area. The reading げいこ is also an irregular reading for 芸妓.
舞妓まいこ
An apprentice geisha, typically younger and wearing more elaborate kimono and hair ornaments.

Etymology

From Chinese-derived kanji 芸 (art, performance) and 妓 (female entertainer). The word has been used in Japanese since the Edo period to refer to professional female entertainers.