パントマイム
pantomaimu[pã̠nto̞ma̠imɯ̟]
In Japanese, pantomime is パントマイム (pantomaimu).
The term パントマイム refers specifically to the art of pantomime, which is gesturing without speaking. While it is a loanword used for this specific art form, other words exist for related concepts like general acting or sign language.
Meaning: gesturing without speaking (noun)
Which one should you use?
While パントマイム is a loanword used for the specific performance art of pantomime, you may encounter other terms depending on the context. 無言劇 is used for the word 'mime', while 演技 refers to general acting. If you are referring to communication through hand gestures, the word for sign language is 手話.
How do you pronounce it?
pantomaimu
Did you know?
- Unlike the English word 'pantomime', which in the UK often refers to a specific genre of musical comedy plays, パントマイム in Japanese only refers to the silent art of miming.
- While the word パントマイム exists, it is almost exclusively used to describe the professional stage art. If you want to describe a person who is acting out a scene through silent gestures in everyday conversation, a Japanese person is more likely to use the term ジェスチャー ('gesture').
- The kanji-based term 無言劇 conveys a more serious or prestigious theatrical weight than the loanword パントマイム.
Examples in context
- 彼はパントマイムがとても上手です。Kare wa pantomaimu ga totemo jouzu desu.He is very good at pantomime.
- 街角でパントマイムを見かけました。Machikado de pantomaimu o mikakemashita.I saw a pantomime on a street corner.
- 将来はパントマイムの芸人になりたいです。Shourai wa pantomaimu no geinin ni naritai desu.I want to become a pantomime artist in the future.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a street performance they saw.
- 美咲 Misakiさっきのパントマイム、すごかったね！Sakki no pantomaimu, sugokatta ne!That pantomime just now was amazing, wasn't it!
- 健太 Kentaうん、技術が本当に高いと思ったよ。Un, gijutsu ga hontou ni takai to omotta yo.Yeah, I thought his technique was really high.
- 美咲 Misaki健太君も練習してみたい？Kenta-kun mo renshuu shite mitai?Do you want to try practicing it too, Kenta?
- 健太 Kentaいや、自分には難しいと思う。Iya, jibun ni wa muzukashii to omou.No, I think it would be too difficult for me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pantomime” translations and entries パントマイム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
