上映（じょうえい、jouei）
- screening

The Japanese word 上映 (じょうえい) primarily means "screening," "showing," or "release" of a film, movie, or other visual content. It refers to the act of publicly presenting a film or video for viewing. It can also be used for stage performances such as plays. The term emphasizes the act of making something available for an audience to see. 上映 often implies a scheduled and organized event, such as a showing in a cinema or a performance at a theater.

⚫︎映画の上映スケジュール Translation: Movie screening schedule ⚫︎新作映画が来週から上映されます。 Translation: The new movie will be released next week. ⚫︎舞台の上映時間は2時間です。 Translation: The stage performance runtime is 2 hours.

You can use 上映 when discussing: ⚫︎ Movie showings in theaters ⚫︎ The broadcast of a TV show ⚫︎ The playing of a video ⚫︎ The performance of a play or musical It's a common term in contexts related to entertainment and media. You would typically use this when talking about a specific showing of something or the fact that something is being shown to the public.

上映 is written using the kanji 上映. The reading is じょうえい in hiragana. There are no other ways to write it, and the okurigana (the hiragana after the kanji) is always えい.

⚫︎ 公開 (こうかい) - release, opening to the public (used for movies, etc.) ⚫︎ 放映 (ほうえい) - broadcast (primarily used for television) ⚫︎ 上演 (じょうえん) - performance (used for plays, concerts, etc.)

There isn't a direct antonym for 上映, but concepts that represent the opposite could include: ⚫︎ 上映中止 (じょうえいちゅうし) - Screening cancellation ⚫︎ 終映 (しゅうえい) - Closing, end of screening

今週末に、あの映画の上映を観に行きたいです。 ・Translation: I want to go watch the screening of that movie this weekend. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 上映 to refer to the act of going to see a movie in a cinema.

この映画は、全国の映画館で上映中です。 ・Translation: This movie is currently being screened at cinemas nationwide. ・Explanation: This describes the current availability of the movie in theaters.

上映 is a compound word. The first kanji, 上 (じょう), means "above," "on," or "presenting". The second kanji, 映 (えい), means "to reflect," "to project," or "to screen." Therefore, the word literally means "to project [an image] above or for public viewing".