Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
道化芝居 (どうけしばい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
farce ; low comedy
Refers to a theatrical farce or low comedy, often involving slapstick or clowning. Can be used literally for a play or figuratively for a ridiculous situation.
演えん
説ぜつ
は
まるで
道どう
化け
芝しば
居い
の
よう
だっ
た
。
His speech was like a low comedy.
Kanji 道 road-way, street, district 化 change, take the form of, influence Similar words 喜き 劇げき 喜劇 is a broader term for comedy in general, while 道化芝居 specifically implies farcical or low comedy with clowning elements.
茶ちゃ 番ばん 茶番 also means farce or buffoonery, often used for a ridiculous act or pretense, but 道化芝居 emphasizes the theatrical play aspect more.
Etymology Compound of 道化 (どうけ, 'clowning, buffoonery') and 芝居 (しばい, 'play, drama').