Japanese Conversation · Level 131
60 words
Japanese word
演ずる
Pronunciation
Romajienzuru
Meaning
- verbplay
Example
私は劇で王様を演じます。watashi wa geki de ō sama o en ji ma su
I play a king in a play.
More examples
舞台では普段と違う人物を演じます。bu tai de wa fu dan to chiga u jin butsu o en ji ma su
I play a different character on stage.
Core concept
Expresses the act of making a particular role real for an audience through performance.
Common phrases
役を演ずるyaku o en zu ru
play a role
主役を演ずるshu yaku o en zu ru
play the lead role
悪役を演ずるaku yaku o en zu ru
play a villain
Similar words
演じるenjiru: To portray a character or take a role in a performance, often in ordinary speech.
Definition in Japanese
人物や役の立場になり、その役らしく振る舞って表現する。jin butsu ya yaku no tachi ba ni na ri so no yaku ra shi ku fu ru ma tte hyō gen su ru
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese form 演ずる (enzuru) uses 演 (en, "perform") with ずる (zuru), an older verb-forming ending; 演じる (enjiru) is the usual modern form.
Usage tips
- Formal Japanese writing often uses 演ずる (enzuru) in descriptions of someone taking a role, while 演じる (enjiru) is more usual in conversation.
Related words
- 演技engiactingnoun
- 演じ方enjikataway of actingnoun
- 演技力engiryokuacting abilitynoun