レパートリー
repātorī[ɾe̞pa̠ːto̞ɾʲiː]
The English phrase 'repertoire' can be translated into Japanese as レパートリー (repātorī).
レパートリー is a loanword used to describe a set of skills possessed by a person or a collection of items. It is commonly used in contexts such as music, performing arts and even in describing a person's range of skills or jokes.
Meaning: set of skills possessed by a person, collection of items (noun)
Which one should you use?
While レパートリー refers to a repertoire, the informal term 定番 is used for commonly performed or well-known pieces.
How do you pronounce it?
repātorī
Did you know?
- Japanese speakers often use レパートリー to describe a person's collection of excuses or repetitive behavioral patterns.
- The word レパートリー is frequently used to describe the variety of side dishes a person knows how to prepare for dinner.
- The Japanese word レパートリー is actually borrowed from the English word 'repertory' rather than 'repertoire'.
Examples in context
- 彼女の歌のレパートリーは広範囲に渡っている。Her repertoire of songs is vast.
- 新しいレパートリーを学ぶために努力しています。I am making an effort to learn new repertoire.
- あのバンドはいつもおなじ定番の曲を演奏する。That band always performs the same repertoire of songs.
- 彼女はピアノのレパートリーが豊富です。Kanojo wa piano no repātorī ga hōfu desu.She has a rich repertoire of piano pieces.
- 彼は料理のレパートリーを増やしたいです。Kare wa ryōri no repātorī o fuyashitai desu.He wants to expand his repertoire of cooking.
- この歌手はレパートリーが少ないですね。Kono kashu wa repātorī ga sukunai desu ne.This singer has a small repertoire, doesn't she?
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking about cooking dinner.
- 蓮 Ren今日の夕飯は何にする？kyō no yūhan wa nani ni suru？What should we have for dinner tonight?
- 美咲 Misakiレパートリーが少ないから、簡単なパスタでいい？repātorī ga sukunai kara, kantan na pasuta de ii？My repertoire is small, so is a simple pasta okay?
- 蓮 Renいいよ。美咲のパスタは美味しいし。ii yo. Misaki no pasuta wa oishii shi.That's fine. Your pasta is delicious, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう。次は新しい料理に挑戦するね。arigatō. tsugi wa atarashii ryōri ni chōsen suru ne.Thanks. I'll try a new dish next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “repertoire” translations and entries レパートリー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries レパートリー, CC BY-SA 4.0.
