興行（こうぎょう、kougiょう）
- show

The Japanese word 興行 こうぎょう generally refers to a public performance, event, or entertainment. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from stage performances like theater and concerts, to sporting events like sumo wrestling and baseball games, and even exhibitions. The term emphasizes the aspect of providing entertainment or attracting an audience. 興行 こうぎょう is often used in a business context, highlighting the commercial nature of these events. It implies that these events are organized and presented for profit, or at least with the intention of attracting an audience.

⚫︎映画の興行 Translation: Movie [showing], Box office (performance of a film) ⚫︎夏祭りの興行 Translation: Summer festival [event] ⚫︎相撲の興行 Translation: Sumo wrestling [event]

You would use 興行 こうぎょう when talking about events that are presented to an audience, particularly those that are commercial in nature or involve a performance. It's suitable for discussing the event itself, the business aspect of the event, or the overall entertainment industry. It can be used in formal and informal contexts.

興行 こうぎょう is typically written using the kanji 興 and 行. The reading is こうぎょう in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is standard.

⚫︎イベント (ibento) - Event ⚫︎催し (mōshikō) - Event, function ⚫︎公演 (kōen) - Performance, show

There aren't direct antonyms, but words that imply a lack of a public performance or commercial aspect could be considered opposites in a sense. For example: ⚫︎非公開 (hikōkai) - Not open to the public ⚫︎中止 (chūshi) - Cancellation

今年の歌舞伎の興行はとても人気です。 ・Translation: This year's Kabuki [performances] are very popular. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the popularity of Kabuki performances.

そのコンサートの興行収入は予想以上でした。 ・Translation: The box office revenue for that concert was higher than expected. ・Explanation: This sentence discusses the financial success of a concert.

The word 興行 こうぎょう is formed from the kanji 興, which means "interest," "entertainment," or "prosperity," and 行, which means "to do," "to perform," or "to carry out." Together, they combine to suggest the act of doing something entertaining or providing a public performance.