geisha
/'geiʃə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A Japanese woman trained to entertain men with conversation and singing and dancing: A geisha is a traditional Japanese female entertainer skilled in various arts, including music, dance, and conversation, who attends to guests at social gatherings.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The geisha performed a graceful dance for the guests at the tea house.
- She trained for many years to become a geisha in Kyoto.
- In traditional Japanese culture, a geisha is an artist, not a courtesan.
Advanced Usage
"Geisha world" (karyūkai): Refers to the traditional, often insular, community and lifestyle surrounding geisha culture.
- The novel provides a glimpse into the intricate social rules of the geisha world.
"Apprentice geisha" (maiko): Specifically refers to a young woman who is in training to become a full-fledged geisha, often recognizable by her more elaborate hairstyle and kimono.
- The maiko, an apprentice geisha, accompanied her senior to the banquet.
Variants and Related Words
Geiko (n): A term used primarily in the Kyoto region to refer to a fully-fledged geisha.
- In Kyoto, a geisha is more formally called a geiko.
Hanamachi (n): A "flower town," the term for a geisha district in a city.
- Gion is one of the most famous hanamachi in Kyoto.
Synonyms
- Courtesan (historical context): In some historical Western misunderstandings, geisha were incorrectly equated with courtesans, though their primary role is artistic entertainment.
- Entertainer: A general term for a performer, though it lacks the specific cultural connotations of "geisha."
Related Phrases
- "Geisha girl": An outdated and often inaccurate Western term that can trivialize or misrepresent the profession.
- The term "geisha girl" is considered a stereotype by many.
Related Idioms
- The concept is typically referenced directly rather than through idiomatic expressions.
Noun
- a Japanese woman trained to entertain men with conversation and singing and dancing