演奏
ensō[ẽ̞ɰ̃so̞ː]
In Japanese, the English phrase 'performance' can be translated as 演奏 (ensō) or 公演 depending on the context.
Meaning: live show or concert (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 演奏 | ensō | [ẽ̞ɰ̃so̞ː] (narrow) |
| 公演 | kōen | [ko̞ːẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
Use 演奏 when the focus is on the act of playing music or the quality of the musical execution. Use 公演 when referring to the event itself, such as a theater production or a scheduled concert event.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 演奏 is composed of the characters for 'play/perform' (演) and 'sound/music' (奏). The word 公演 is composed of the characters for 'public' (公) and 'performance/show' (演).
Which one should you use?
演奏 refers specifically to a musical performance, such as playing an instrument or singing. In contrast, 公演 refers to a scheduled public performance or show, such as a play, a concert series or a theatrical production.
How do you pronounce it?
ensō
Did you know?
- The character 奏 in 演奏 originally referred to submitting a report or a petition to the Emperor. It evolved to mean 'playing music' because music was one of the primary ways to present a message to the court.
- While 演奏 describes the music, the English loanword パフォーマンス is specifically used to describe the visual 'showmanship' or the physical spectacle of a performer.
- Traditional Japanese theater like 能 (Noh) is often described as a 'performance' where the goal is not to act but to reach a state of 幽玄, or mysterious elegance.
Examples in context
- 演奏は終わりかけていた。The performance was almost over.This sentence uses 演奏 to describe a musical performance that was ending.Tatoeba #188770 by tommy__san, translation #25916 by CK
- めちゃくちゃな演奏に閉口した。The performance was so weird and it turned me off.This sentence uses 演奏 to describe a musical performance that was weird.Tatoeba #11005118 by KK_kaku_, translation #13008477 by urro
- 公演はお楽しみいただけましたか？Did you enjoy the performance?This sentence uses 公演 to ask if a guest enjoyed a public performance.Tatoeba #8721012 by small_snow, translation #2820961 by sharptoothed
- 昨夜の彼女の演技は素晴らしかったです。Her performance last night was amazing.
- あのバンドのライブのパフォーマンスは最高だったよ。The performance of that band's live show was awesome.
- 彼のダンスのパフォーマンスは驚くべきものだった。His dance performance was astonishing.
- あのお笑い芸人の芸は最高やで。That comedian's performance is the best.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himari and Hiroto are talking after a piano recital.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くん、演奏はとても素晴らしかったよ。Hiroto-kun, ensō wa totemo subarashikatta yo.Hiroto, your performance was wonderful.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。でも緊張してミスをしたよ。Arigatō. Demo kinchō shite misu o shita yo.Thank you. But I was nervous and made a mistake.
- 陽葵 Himariそんなの全然分からなかったよ。Sonna no zenzen wakaranakatta yo.I couldn't tell that at all.
- 大翔 Hirotoそう言ってもらえると嬉しいな。Sō itte moraeru to ureshii na.I'm glad to hear you say that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “performance” translations and entries 演奏, 公演, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
