Japanese Conversation · Level 88
60 words
Japanese word
演じる
Pronunciation
Romajienjiru
Meaning
- verbplay a role
Example
彼女は映画で母親を演じます。kano jo wa ei ga de haha oya o en ji ma su
She plays the role of a mother in a movie.
More examples
俳優は難しい役でも自然に演じます。hai yū wa muzuka shi i yaku de mo shi zen ni en ji ma su
The actor plays even difficult roles naturally.
Core concept
Describes taking on a character or role so that it is presented through one's performance.
Common phrases
役を演じるyaku o en ji ru
play a role
主役を演じるshu yaku o en ji ru
play the leading role
悪役を演じるaku yaku o en ji ru
play the villain
Similar words
扮するfunsuru: To take on and portray a character, often with emphasis on appearing as that character.
演ずるenzuru: To portray a character or role in a formal or literary style.
演技するengisuru: To portray a character through acting, with emphasis on the performance itself.
Definition in Japanese
映画や劇などで、役に扮してその人物らしく表現する。ei ga ya geki na do de yaku ni fun shi te so no jin butsu ra shi ku hyō gen su ru
Word origin
演 (en, "perform") is the Sino-Japanese element in 演ずる (enzuru), and 演じる (enjiru) is the modern verb form of it.
Usage tips
- In film and theater discussions, 演じる (enjiru) applies to portraying real people as well as fictional characters, so it covers historical figures and invented roles.
Other meanings
- actverb
Related words
- 演技engiactingnoun
- 演じ手enjiteperformernoun
- 演じ方enjikataway of actingnoun