天丼
Meaning: A comedy callback — repeating the same joke or gag multiple times for cumulative laughs, named after the tempura rice bowl.
In Japanese comedy terminology, 天丼 refers to the technique of repeating the same joke, gag, or situation multiple times within a performance. Each repetition builds on the previous one, making it funnier through accumulated expectation. The name comes from the idea of 'serving the same dish again' — like getting another bowl of tempura rice. This is a fundamental technique in manzai and variety show comedy.
Examples
- あのコント、天丼で3回同じボケやってたのが最高だった。 那个小品用天丼手法重复了3次同一个段子,太绝了。En ese sketch, repetir el mismo gag tres veces como tendon fue genial.그 콩트, 천동으로 3번 같은 보케를 했던 게 최고였어.
- また同じネタ?完全に天丼じゃん。 又是同样的梗?完全就是天丼嘛。¿Otra vez el mismo chiste? Es totalmente un tendon.또 같은 네타? 완전 천동이잖아.
- 天丼は2回目が一番難しいって聞いたことある。 听说天丼第二次是最难的。He oído que la segunda repetición del tendon es la más difícil.천동은 2번째가 가장 어렵다고 들은 적 있어.
Pronunciation
/te.n.do.n/
Usage Guide
Context: comedy discussion, friends, social media
Tone: analytical, appreciative
✓ Do Say
- この天丼、3回目でやっと爆笑きたね。 (This callback finally got a huge laugh on the third time.)这个天丼,第三次终于爆笑了呢。(这个回调到第三次终于引发了大笑。)Este gag recurrente por fin arrancó una carcajada a la tercera. (This callback finally got a huge laugh on the third time.)이 천동, 3번째에 드디어 폭소가 터졌네. (이 콜백, 세 번째에서 드디어 빵 터졌다.)
- 天丼うまいなこの芸人。 (This comedian is great at callbacks.)这个艺人天丼玩得真好。(这个搞笑艺人很擅长回调手法。)Este cómico es genial con los gags recurrentes. (This comedian is great at callbacks.)천동 잘하네 이 개그맨. (이 코미디언 콜백 잘한다.)
✗ Don't Say
- 天丼を知らない人に「それ天丼だよ」と言っても通じない (Saying 'that's tendon' to someone unfamiliar with comedy jargon won't make sense — they'll think of food)对不了解天丼的人说「那是天丼啊」人家也听不懂(对不懂喜剧术语的人说'那是天丼'没用——他们只会想到食物)Decir «eso es un tendon» a alguien que no conoce la jerga cómica no se entenderá — pensará en comida (Saying 'that's tendon' to someone unfamiliar with comedy jargon won't make sense — they'll think of food)천동을 모르는 사람에게 「그거 천동이야」라고 해도 안 통함 (코미디 용어를 모르는 사람은 음식으로 생각할 것이다)
Common Mistakes
- Confusing comedy 天丼 with the food — context makes it clear, but beginners may be puzzled
- Using 天丼 for any joke repetition — it specifically refers to intentional, skilled callbacks, not just retelling the same joke
Origin & History
Comedy jargon that became mainstream through television variety shows. The metaphor of 'serving tempura rice bowl again' perfectly captures the act of repeating a gag. Used in professional comedy circles since at least the 1990s, now widely understood by general audiences.
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s+ comedy jargon, mainstream 2000s
Generation: Comedy fans, variety show watchers
Social background: Entertainment/comedy culture
Regional notes: Used across Japan. A core concept in manzai and variety show analysis. Well-known among anyone who watches Japanese comedy.
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