Meaning
The kanji 劇 (geki) primarily means drama, play, theatre, or performance. You'll frequently encounter it in words related to the performing arts. Beyond the stage, 劇 can also convey a sense of suddenness, intensity, or violence, implying something drastic or severe. This dual meaning—encompassing both the artistic and the intense—makes 劇 a versatile kanji in Japanese vocabulary.
Its origin lies in a combination of elements. The left part, derived from 虍 (hu), depicts a tiger's pattern or the tiger itself, suggesting fierceness. The lower left component is related to 豕 (shi), meaning 'pig'. Together, 虍 and 豕 historically formed a character (豦) that signified a violent struggle or a fierce beast. The right side of 劇 is 戈 (ka/hoko), which represents a halberd or spear. When 戈 is added, it intensifies the original meaning of violence or fierce confrontation. This strong, confrontational imagery likely evolved to describe the intense emotions and conflicts often depicted in theatrical performances. This connection eventually led to its meaning of 'drama' or 'play'. The raw, powerful elements of a tiger, a pig, and a spear underscore the dramatic and often profound nature of a theatrical 'drama' or a 'sudden' turn of events. This 15-stroke kanji is a jōyō kanji, taught in secondary school (indicated by grade 'S').
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi (Chinese-derived) reading of 劇 is the most common, and almost the exclusive, reading for this kanji in compound words. This reading maintains a consistent connection to its primary meanings of drama and intensity.
ゲキ (geki): ゲキ is the only on'yomi reading for 劇, used almost exclusively in modern Japanese. You'll encounter it in the vast majority of compound words involving this kanji, whether they relate to theatre, performance, intensity, or suddenness.
演劇 (engeki) — drama, play, theatre. This refers to the general art form of theatrical performance.
劇場 (gekijō) — theatre, playhouse. This denotes the physical building where plays are performed.
劇的 (gekiteki) — dramatic, spectacular. Used to describe something that has the quality of a drama, often implying a striking or sudden change.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
This kanji does not have commonly used native Japanese (kun'yomi) readings. It is almost exclusively found in jukugo (kanji compounds) where the on'yomi reading ゲキ is used. Therefore, you will not find it used independently with a hiragana ending.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 劇 is incredibly versatile, appearing in many compounds related to the performing arts, as well as terms denoting intensity or suddenness. Here are some common examples:
Theatre and Performance:
演劇 (engeki) — drama, play, theatrical performance. The general term for plays and theatre.
劇場 (gekijō) — theatre, playhouse. The venue for theatrical productions.
劇団 (gekidan) — theatrical troupe, drama company. A group of actors and staff who perform plays.
劇作家 (gekisakka) — playwright, dramatist. A person who writes plays.
Types of Plays:
喜劇 (kigeki) — comedy. A play intended to be humorous.
悲劇 (higeki) — tragedy. A play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending.
歌劇 (kageki) — opera. A dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists.
寸劇 (sungeki) — skit, short play. A brief humorous theatrical sketch.
Intensity and Suddenness:
劇的 (gekiteki) — dramatic, spectacular, striking. Describes something with a powerful impact or a sudden, significant change.
劇薬 (gekiyaku) — potent drug, powerful medicine, poison. Refers to a highly effective or dangerous chemical substance.
劇症 (gekishō) — fulminant disease, severe symptoms. Describes a sudden, severe onset or progression of a disease.
劇烈 (gekiretsu) — intense, violent, fierce. This emphasizes the extreme nature of something, often used to describe pain, debate, or change.
Example Sentences
あの劇場は新しい演劇をよく上演しています。
Ano gekijō wa atarashii engeki o yoku jōen shite imasu.
That theater often stages new plays.
彼は有名な劇団に所属する俳優です。
Kare wa yūmei na gekidan ni shozoku suru haiyū desu.
He is an actor belonging to a famous theatrical troupe.
その映画は悲劇で終わりましたが、とても感動的でした。
Sono eiga wa higeki de owarimashita ga, totemo kandōteki deshita.
The movie ended in tragedy, but it was very moving.
彼女の人生には、いくつかの劇的な変化がありました。
Kanojo no jinsei ni wa, ikutsu ka no gekiteki na henka ga arimashita.
There were several dramatic changes in her life.
劇作家が新しい喜劇の脚本を執筆中です。
Gekisakka ga atarashii kigeki no kyakuhon o shippitsuchū desu.
The playwright is currently writing a script for a new comedy.
この薬は劇薬なので、取扱いに十分注意してください。
Kono kusuri wa gekiyaku nanode, toriatsukai ni jūbun chūi shite kudasai.
This medicine is a potent drug, so please handle it with extreme care.
歴史上の出来事は、しばしば劇的な展開を見せます。
Rekishi-jō no dekigoto wa, shiba-shiba gekiteki na tenkai o misemasu.
Historical events often show dramatic developments.
その役者の劇的な演技は、観客を魅了しました。
Sono yakusha no gekiteki na engi wa, kankyaku o miryō shimashita.
That actor's dramatic performance captivated the audience.
彼は劇が終わった後、深くお辞儀をしました。
Kare wa geki ga owatta ato, fukaku ojigi o shimashita.
He bowed deeply after the play finished.
Memory Tip
To remember 劇 (geki), meaning 'drama' or 'intense,' let's break it down. On the left, we have a modified form of 虍 (ko), representing a 'tiger' or tiger stripes, sitting atop a stylized 豕 (shi) for 'pig.' Together, these suggest a fierce or struggling animal, originally part of a character (豦) meaning 'fierce' or 'violent.' On the right, we see 戈 (hoko), the 'halberd' or 'spear' radical. Imagine a wild scene: a fierce TIGER (虍) and a wild PIG (豕) are locked in an intense, dramatic struggle, perhaps even wielding a SPEAR (戈). This intense, violent confrontation is itself a DRAMA or a PLAY unfolding before your eyes. The combination of fierce animals and a weapon paints a picture of dramatic intensity, whether on a stage or in a real-life sudden event.