Readings: ゲイ (Onyomi), う.える (Kunyomi)
Meaning: art, craft, performance, accomplishment, trick, skill, technique
The character 芸 originally depicted a plant or herb, particularly an aromatic one used for cultivation. The top part (艹) is the grass radical, and the bottom part (云) acts as a phonetic component. Over time, its meaning shifted from ‘cultivation/planting’ to ‘art, performance, skill,’ likely because cultivating plants required skill and artistry. The kun’yomi ‘う.える’ reflects its original meaning, though it is now rare for this kanji.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 芸 begins with the three strokes of the grass radical (艹) at the top. Then, the two horizontal strokes of the 云 component, followed by the two vertical/slanted strokes.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 艹 (くさかんむり) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | Jouyou Kanji |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ゲイ (GEI)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- う.える (u.eru)
Common Words Using 芸
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 芸術 | げいじゅつ | art, fine art |
| 芸能 | げいのう | entertainment, performing arts |
| 芸人 | げいにん | entertainer, performer (often comedian) |
| 園芸 | えんげい | horticulture, gardening |
| 文芸 | ぶんげい | literature, literary arts |
| 工芸 | こうげい | craft, industrial arts |
| 手芸 | しゅげい | handicraft |
| 演芸 | えんげい | public entertainment, performance |
| 芸事 | げいごと | accomplishments, arts (especially traditional Japanese arts) |
| 芸名 | げいめい | stage name, professional name |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 芸（う.える） | う.える | (Archaic/rare) to plant, to cultivate; used when referring to the kanji’s original meaning related to plants. |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼の芸術は世界中で高く評価されている。
Kana: かれのげいじゅつはせかいじゅうでたかくひょうかされている。
Romaji: Kare no geijutsu wa sekaijū de takaku hyōka sarete iru.
English: His art is highly praised around the world.
Japanese: 彼女は芸能界で成功するために努力した。
Kana: かのじょはげいのうかいでせいこうするためにどりょくした。
Romaji: Kanojo wa geinōkai de seikō suru tame ni doryoku shita.
English: She worked hard to succeed in the entertainment industry.
Japanese: 彼は面白い芸で観客を笑わせた。
Kana: かれはおもしろいげいでかんきゃくをわらわせた。
Romaji: Kare wa omoshiroi gei de kankyaku o warawaseta.
English: He made the audience laugh with his amusing act.
Japanese: 日本の伝統工芸は素晴らしい。
Kana: にほんのでんとうこうげいはすばらしい。
Romaji: Nihon no dentō kōgei wa subarashii.
English: Japanese traditional crafts are wonderful.
Japanese: 文芸作品を読むのが好きです。
Kana: ぶんげいさくひんをよむのがすきです。
Romaji: Bungei sakuhin o yomu no ga suki desu.
English: I like reading literary works.
Japanese: 園芸は高齢者の趣味として人気があります。
Kana: えんげいはこうれいしゃのしゅみとしてにんきがあります。
Romaji: Engei wa kōreisha no shumi to shite ninki ga arimasu.
English: Gardening is popular as a hobby for the elderly.
Japanese: 彼女は手芸が得意で、いつも素敵なものを作る。
Kana: かのじょはしゅげいがとくいで、いつもすてきなものをつくる。
Romaji: Kanojo wa shugei ga tokui de, itsumo suteki na mono o tsukuru.
English: She is good at handicrafts and always makes wonderful things.
Japanese: 寄席で伝統的な演芸を楽しんだ。
Kana: よせででんとうてきなえんげいをたのしんだ。
Romaji: Yose de dentōteki na engei o tanoshinda.
English: I enjoyed traditional public entertainment at the yose (storytelling theater).
Japanese: 彼は大学時代に多くの芸を身につけた。
Kana: かれはだいがくじだいにたくさんのげいをみにつけた。
Romaji: Kare wa daigaku jidai ni takusan no gei o mi ni tsuketa.
English: He acquired many skills during his university days.
Japanese: その芸人は毎年ユニークな芸を披露する。
Kana: そのげいにんはまいとしユニークなげいをひろうする。
Romaji: Sono geinin wa maitoshi yunīku na gei o hirō suru.
English: That entertainer performs a unique act every year.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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