美術館

• Reading: びじゅつかん
• Romaji: bijutsukan
• Kanji breakdown: 美 (bi/utsuku) — beauty; 術 (jutsu) — art, technique; 館 (kan/yakata) — building, hall
• Pronunciation: /bi.dʑɯ.tsɯ.kaɴ/

Meaning

An art gallery; an art museum. A building where works of art are displayed for public viewing.

A compound of 美術 (bijutsu, fine arts) and 館 (kan, building/hall). Japan has many renowned art museums, including the 国立美術館 (national art museums) and numerous private galleries. Distinguished from 博物館 (hakubutsukan, museum), which covers broader collections including history and science.

Examples

1. 日曜日に美術館に絵を見に行きました。 I went to the art museum to see paintings on Sunday.
2. この美術館は写真を撮ってもいいですか。 Is it okay to take photos in this art museum?
3. 新しい美術館が来月オープンします。 A new art museum is opening next month.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, leisure, sightseeing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 美術 (bijutsu, fine arts) and 館 (kan, building). 美 means beautiful, 術 means art or technique. A Meiji-era term created to describe Western-style art institutions.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal