noun
curtain; stage curtain; screen
Most typically a stage curtain or large hanging cloth/screen, rather than an ordinary window curtain.
劇場の舞台に赤い幕が掛かっている。
A red curtain is hanging on the theater stage.
noun, counter
Used for divisions of a play or performance, and as a counter in expressions such as 三幕 and 第一幕.
この芝居は三幕から成る。
This play consists of three acts.
第二幕で主人公が故郷に戻る。
In the second act, the protagonist returns to his hometown.
noun
falling of the curtain; end of a scene
Refers to the curtain coming down and, by extension, the close of a scene or act in a performance.
拍手の中、静かに幕が下りた。
Amid applause, the curtain quietly fell.
noun
Figurative use for the end of an event, period, struggle, negotiation, or story; common in phrases like 幕を閉じる and 幕が下りる.
長い交渉はようやく幕を閉じた。
The long negotiations finally came to a close.
noun
one's place; one's turn; role to play; occasion for involvement
Often used in fixed expressions such as 出る幕ではない or 出る幕がない, meaning that someone has no appropriate role, turn, or place to step in.
これは家族の問題で、私の出る幕ではない。
This is a family matter, and it is not my place to get involved.
専門家がそろっていたので、私の出る幕はなかった。
Since all the specialists were there, there was no role for me to play.
noun
makuuchi; top sumo division
Sumo-specific shorthand for 幕内, the top division; outside sumo contexts, use the fuller term 幕内 for clarity.
See also: 幕内
相撲の記事では、「幕」が幕内を指すことがある。
In sumo articles, maku can refer to the top division, makuuchi.