アカペラ
akapera
The English phrase acapella is translated into Japanese as アカペラ (akapera).
アカペラ is the most common term used in Japan to refer to acapella music. Because it is a loanword from the Italian/English term, it is written using the Katakana script. You may also encounter more descriptive phrases such as 無伴奏 (unaccompanied) or 無伴奏の歌 (unaccompanied song) to describe music performed without instruments. In informal settings, you might hear the phrase 声だけのパフォーマンス, which literally means a performance with only voices.
How do you pronounce it?
akapera
Did you know?
- While アカペラ is used for musical styles, if you want to describe a singer performing without a band in a casual setting, you might use the phrase 生歌 (raw song) to emphasize the unadorned nature of the voice.
- In Japan, アカペラ is often associated with the 'a cappella' boom of the 1990s, which popularized the style through TV variety shows rather than traditional choral music.
- Unlike English, where 'a cappella' is an adverb or adjective, アカペラ is frequently used as a standalone noun to describe the act of singing itself.
Examples in context
- 友達と一緒にアカペラを歌った。I sang acapella with my friends.
- 地元のアカペラグループがすごく人気だ。The local acapella group is very popular.
- この曲をアカペラで歌ってみませんか？Kono kyoku o akapera de utatte mimasen ka?Why don't we try singing this song acapella?
- 昨日のライブはアカペラでした。Kinou no raibu wa akapera deshita.Yesterday's live performance was acapella.
- アカペラのグループに憧れています。Akapera no guruupu ni akogarete imasu.I admire acapella groups.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are practicing music together.
- 健太 Kenta伴奏なしで、アカペラでやってみない？Bansō nashi de, akapera de yatte minai?Why don't we try it acapella, without accompaniment?
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね。やってみましょう。Ii desu ne. Yatte mimashou.That sounds good. Let's try it.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんの歌声、すごく綺麗だね。Yui-san no utagoe, sugoku kirei da ne.Yui, your singing voice is very beautiful.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます、健太さん。Arigatō gozaimasu, Kenta-san.Thank you, Kenta.
