太鼓
taiko[ta̠iko̞]
The Japanese word for drum is 太鼓 (taiko). Wiktionary also lists 鼓 (tsuzumi) and ドラム (doramu).
Meaning: musical instrument (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 太鼓 | taiko | [ta̠iko̞] (narrow) |
| 鼓 | tsuzumi | [t͡sɨzɨmʲi] (narrow) |
| ドラム | doramu | [do̞ɾa̠mɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term 太鼓 generally refers to a drum, but it is also used colloquially to refer to a person's belly or a large, protruding stomach.
Which one should you use?
Use the katakana loanword ドラム to refer specifically to Western-style drum kits used in rock, jazz or pop music. The form 鼓 (tsuzumi) is also a type of drum.
How do you pronounce it?
taiko
Did you know?
- In traditional Noh theatre, the 鼓 (tsuzumi) is held on the shoulder or hip and the player changes its pitch by squeezing the tension cords during the performance.
- The 太鼓 was historically used in Japanese warfare as a signaling device to communicate orders across the battlefield.
- The word 太鼓 is used in the term 太鼓判を押す (taiko-han o osu), which means to give something a strong recommendation or a seal of approval.
Examples in context
- 太鼓の音が聞こえる。I hear the drum.This sentence is useful for describing the sound of a 鼓.Tatoeba #138216 by bunbuku, translation #275019 by CK
- 太鼓の音は遠のいていった。The drum faded away.Tatoeba #138215 by small_snow, translation #275020 by AlanF_US
- あの子、ドラムができるんだよ。She can play the drum.This sentence is useful for describing someone's ability to play the ドラム.Tatoeba #10216707 by bunbuku, translation #311830 by CK
- 太鼓を演奏するのは楽しいです。Playing the drum is fun.
- 彼は太鼓の腕前がすばらしい。He has excellent drumming skills.
- 彼はバンドでドラムを担当しています。He is in charge of drums in the band.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a traditional Japanese music shop.
- 結衣 Yuiこの太鼓は、とても大きいですね。Kono taiko wa, totemo ookii desu ne.This drum is very large, isn't it?
- 蓮 Renはい、お祭りで使われるタイプです。Hai, omatsuri de tsukawareru taipu desu.Yes, it is the type used in festivals.
- 結衣 Yui素敵な太鼓ですね。音色も良さそうです。Suteki na taiko desu ne. Neiro mo yosasou desu.It is a lovely drum. The tone sounds good, too.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さん、一度叩いてみますか？Yui-san, ichido tataite mimasu ka?Yui, would you like to try hitting it once?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drum” translations and entries 太鼓, 鼓, ドラム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
