How to Say "Acting" in Japanese

演技

engi[ẽ̞ŋʲɡʲi]

The Japanese word for acting is 演技 (engi).

演技 is used to describe the act of performing or the skill and technique of an actor. It refers to the performance itself rather than the person.

Meaning: occupation of an actor (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of 演 (to perform/play) and 技 (technique/skill).

engi

A common phrase for a 'bad performance' is 演技が下手, where 下手 literally means 'poor' or 'unskilled' but originates from the stage-left side of the theater.
In Japanese, 演技 can also be used in a negative sense to describe someone being 'insincere' or 'putting on an act' in a social situation.
The character 演 in 演技 originally depicted a person performing a ritual or a dance, rather than a theatrical play.

彼の演技は完璧だった。
His acting left nothing to be desired.
This sentence is useful for describing a perfect performance using 演技.
Tatoeba #118076 by tommy__san, translation #285588 by CK
松山ケンイチの演技はとても上手です。
Kenichi Matsuyama's acting is very good.
This sentence is useful for praising the skill of a specific person's 演技.
Tatoeba #792522 by ryanthewired, translation #792523 by ryanthewired
彼は素晴らしい演技をするね。
He performs amazing acting.
彼、最近芝居を始めたんだよね。
He recently started acting, you know.
彼女の演技はとても自然でした。
Kanojo no engi wa totemo shizen deshita.
Her acting was very natural.

Yui and Ren are discussing a movie they just watched.

結衣 Yui

この映画、演技がすごかったね。
Kono eiga, engi ga sugokatta ne.
The acting in this movie was amazing, wasn't it?
蓮 Ren

そうだね。特に主役の人が良かった。
Sou da ne. Tokuni shuyaku no hito ga yokatta.
Yeah. Especially the lead actor was great.
結衣 Yui

演技の勉強をしたいと思うよ。
Engi no benkyou o shitai to omou yo.
It makes me want to study acting.
蓮 Ren

結衣ならきっと上手になるよ。
Yui nara kitto jouzu ni naru yo.
I'm sure you would be good at it, Yui.

Sources

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