戯
ギ, ゲ, たわむ.れる, ざ.れる, じゃ.れる

frolic, play, sport

JLPT1 G7 S15 F1880

An abbreviated form# of 虛 (sunken) + an element combining 豆 (food stand, here a shape indicator) and 戈 spear/halberd (the combination indicating a particular type of bladed weapon) → sink a spear in a hole in the ground as a trap for game → *sport with* (← hunt for sport ← hunt). *Laugh uproariously*, *frolic*, *joke*, *play*, *tease* and *flirt* are by figurative association with "sport with" → *theater*; *drama*; *show*.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]