Japanese word

幕

Pronunciation

Romajimaku

Meaning

  • nouncurtain

Example

舞台の幕が開きます。bu tai no maku ga hira ki ma su

The stage curtain opens.

Illustration for 幕 (curtain)

More examples

最後の幕が下りると、観客は拍手しました。sai go no maku ga o ri ru to kan kyaku wa haku shu shi ma shi ta

When the final curtain fell, the audience applauded.

Core concept

A hanging sheet creates a boundary, hides what lies behind it, and can open or close to reveal a new scene.

Common phrases

  • 幕が下りるmaku ga o ri ru

    the curtain falls

  • 幕を閉じるmaku o to ji ru

    close the curtain

  • 幕が上がるmaku ga a ga ru

    the curtain rises

  • 幕の裏maku no ura

    behind the curtain

  • 幕を上げるmaku o a ge ru

    raise the curtain

Similar words

カーテンkāten: A cloth that can cover an opening or separate one space from another.
緞帳donchō: A heavy curtain that hangs across the front of a theater stage.

Definition in Japanese

舞台や部屋などを仕切るために垂らす布。bu tai ya heya na do o shi ki ru ta me ni ta ra su nuno

Word origin

The Japanese noun 幕 (maku, "curtain") is a Sino-Japanese word using the Chinese-origin character 幕, whose original sense was a hanging cloth used as a screen or cover.

Usage tips

  • The expression 幕が開く (maku ga hiraku) also describes an event or new phase beginning, because an opening curtain starts a performance.

Word lists with this word