Japanese word

芸者

Pronunciation

Romajigeisha

Meaning

  • noungeisha

Example

京都で芸者を見ました。kyō to de gei sha o mi ma shi ta

I saw a geisha in Kyoto.

Illustration for 芸者 (geisha)

More examples

彼女は伝統芸能を学んで、芸者になりました。kano jo wa den tō gei nō o mana n de gei sha ni na ri ma shi ta

She studied traditional performing arts and became a geisha.

Core concept

芸者 (geisha) describes a woman who turns mastery of traditional performance and graceful conversation into skilled hospitality.

Common phrases

  • 芸者になるgei sha ni na ru

    become a geisha

  • 芸者として働くgei sha to shi te hatara ku

    work as a geisha

Similar words

芸妓geigi: A formal name for a female performer skilled in traditional music, dance, and hospitality.

Definition in Japanese

日本の伝統芸能と会話の技芸を磨き、宴席で客をもてなすことを職業とする女性。nihon no den tō gei nō to kai wa no gi gei o miga ki en seki de kyaku o mo te na su ko to o shoku gyō to su ru jo sei

Word origin

芸者 (geisha) combines 芸 (gei, "art") with 者 (sha, "person"), so its structure links a person with artistic accomplishment.

Usage tips

  • The English loanword geisha commonly keeps the Japanese plural form in phrases such as "several geisha," although geishas also appears in English.

Word lists with this word