Japanese word

コント

Pronunciation

Romajikonto

Meaning

  • nouncomedy sketch

Example

昨夜、テレビでコントを見ました。saku ya te re bi de ko n to o mi ma shi ta

I watched a comedy sketch on TV last night.

Illustration for コント (comedy sketch)

More examples

若手の芸人が新しいコントを披露しました。waka te no gei nin ga atara shi i ko n to o hi rō shi ma shi ta

A young comedian performed a new comedy sketch.

Core concept

Refers to a short, scripted performance that creates humor through characters, dialogue, and a simple situation.

Common phrases

  • コントを見るko n to o mi ru

    watch a comedy sketch

  • コントを演じるko n to o en ji ru

    perform a comedy sketch

  • コントを書くko n to o ka ku

    write a comedy sketch

Similar words

寸劇sungeki: A short theatrical performance that presents a simple scene, often with dialogue and humor.
スキットsukitto: A short scripted performance that presents a comic scene or a simple lesson.

Definition in Japanese

短い筋立てとせりふによって演じる、笑いを目的とした寸劇。mijika i suji da te to se ri fu ni yo tte en ji ru wara i o moku teki to shi ta sun geki

Word origin

The Japanese word コント (konto) comes from French conte, meaning "tale", and came to name a short comic stage piece in Japanese entertainment.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese variety shows, コント (konto) often refers to a scripted skit, while English commonly uses sketch or sketch comedy for similar performances.

Related words

  • コント師kontoshisketch comediannoun

Word lists with this word