comical story or song; comic piece
Refers to a humorous narrative or performance piece, such as a funny story or comic song.
彼は宴会でお笑いを披露した。
He performed a comical story at the banquet.
He's always coming up with funny comedy material.
the comedy business; comedy world
Refers to the professional comedy industry, especially traditional forms like rakugo and manzai, or the broader entertainment field of comedy.
彼はお笑いの世界で活躍している。
He is active in the comedy world.
something laughable; a laughing matter
Used to describe a situation or thing that is so absurd or ridiculous that it is laughable. Often carries a slightly negative or dismissive tone.
彼の言い訳はまったくお笑いだ。
His excuse is utterly laughable.
She has had a long, successful career in the comedy business.
演芸 covers traditional stage entertainment broadly (comedy, magic, storytelling), while お笑い narrows this to the comedy industry specifically.
コメディ is the loanword for comedy as a genre (often films or theater), while お笑い is the native term tied to Japanese stand-up/variety comedy culture.
Used for counting comedy bits or short funny stories (お笑いのネタ・小話).
comedy TV show; comedy program
comedian; comic
comedy duo; comic duo
comedian; comic celebrity
The honorific prefix お is attached to 笑い (laughter), forming a polite or euphemistic term for comedic entertainment. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is now a standard term for comedy.