How to say 'Actor' in Japanese | 俳優

Wondering how to say 'Actor' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Actor is 'Haiyuu', written as 俳優 in Japanese.'Actor' in hiragana is はいゆう.

word

俳優

Meaning

Actor

Reading

はいゆう

haiyuu

Kanji

俳Actor, Haiku 優Superior, Gentle

Explanation

The Japanese noun '俳優 (はいゆう)' means 'actor'. It refers to a person who performs in plays, movies, or television shows. This word is gender-neutral and can be used for both male and female actors. For example: he is a famous actor「彼は有名な俳優です」(かれはゆうめいなはいゆうです). She wants to become an actor「彼女は俳優になりたい」(かのじょははいゆうになりたい). The term is commonly used in formal contexts and is distinct from '役者 (やくしゃ)', which can also mean 'actor' but often carries a more traditional or theatrical nuance.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6439

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 俳優

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

kanji

俳

Meaning

Actor, Haiku

kanji

優

Meaning

Superior, Gentle

Words Related to 俳優 Through the Kanji 俳

This Word contains the Kanji 俳 as well.

word

俳句

Meaning

Haiku

Words Related to 俳優 Through the Kanji 優

These 7 Words contain the Kanji 優 as well.

word

優しい

Meaning

Kind

word

優れる

Meaning

Excel

word

優先

Meaning

Priority

word

優秀

Meaning

Excellent

word

女優

Meaning

Actress

word

優位

Meaning

Superiority

word

優勝

Meaning

Victory, Championship

Learn the Word 俳優

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Haiyuu' (俳優) mean?

'Haiyuu' means 'Actor' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.