ドラマ
dorama[do̞ɾa̠ma̠]
The English phrase "drama" is translated into Japanese as ドラマ (dorama).
While it can refer to a dramatic situation, in common usage, ドラマ most often refers specifically to a television drama series or TV drama. To describe something that is dramatic or theatrical, you can use ドラマチック.
Meaning: dramatic situation (noun)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between different types of drama in Japanese. ドラマ is used for television series, whereas 演劇 is the term used for a stage play or a theatrical performance. Additionally, the kanji character 劇 represents the general idea of a drama or a play.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use the word to create the noun ドラマ化, which means the adaptation of a work, such as a novel or manga, into a drama series.
How do you pronounce it?
dorama
Did you know?
- The kanji character used in 演劇 (stage play), 劇, can also be used in words like 劇薬, which means 'powerful medicine' or 'potent drug'. This implies a sense of something intense or high-stakes.
- In Japan, a 'trendy drama' トレンディドラマ was a specific genre in the 1980s and 1990s focusing on the fashionable lifestyles of young urban professionals.
- The word ドラマ was first cited in Japanese as far back as 1879, long before television existed in the country.
Examples in context
- この映像はドラマだ。This film is a drama.This sentence is useful for describing a film as a drama using ドラマ.Tatoeba #1795644 by Akatsuki, translation #1219688 by sundown
- アメリカのドラマを見たんだ。I watched an American drama.This sentence shows how to mention watching an American drama using ドラマ.Tatoeba #10761295 by bunbuku, translation #252999 by CM
- 彼らはその小説をドラマ化した。They made the novel into a drama.This sentence demonstrates how to say a novel was made into a drama using ドラマ化.Tatoeba #97910 by tommy__san, translation #305793 by CK
- 昨夜、素晴らしい ドラマ を見た。Last night, I watched a fantastic drama.
- 彼女はいつも ドラマチック な出来事を起こす。She always creates dramatic events.
- あなたが勧めてくれた おもしろいドラマ を見てみたよ。I watched the interesting drama you recommended.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a TV show they both watch.
- 陽葵 Himari最近、面白いドラマがあるよ。Saikin, omoshiroi dorama ga aru yo.There is an interesting drama lately.
- 健太 Kenta何のドラマなの？Nan no dorama nano?What drama is it?
- 陽葵 Himari恋愛ドラマなんだけど、とても泣けるよ。Ren'ai dorama nan dakedo, totemo nakeru yo.It's a romance drama, and it's really tear-jerking.
- 健太 Kentaいいな、今夜見てみるよ。Ii na, konya mite miru yo.That sounds nice, I'll try watching it tonight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drama” translations and entries ドラマ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ドラマ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
