ピアノを弾きます
piano o hikimasu
To say "I play piano" in Japanese, you use ピアノを弾きます (piano o hikimasu).
This phrase is used to state that you know how to play the piano or that you play it as a hobby.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ピアノ (piano), the object marker を which identifies the piano as the direct object of the action and 弾きます (hikimasu), which means to play an instrument with strings or keys.
Which one should you use?
The verb 弾きます is specifically used for instruments like the piano or guitar. You should use します for sports or 遊びます for games.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form ピアノを弾きます is the polite version, which is suitable when speaking to strangers, teachers or colleagues. The dictionary form ピアノを弾く is the informal version, used with friends or family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle を is used after ピアノ to mark it as the direct object of the verb 弾きます.
How do you pronounce it?
piano o hikimasu
Did you know?
- While 弾きます refers to plucking or pressing, the word for 'playing' a record or CD is 掛けます (kakemasu), which means 'to hang'.
- Japanese has a specific term 弾き語り (hikigatari) for the act of playing the piano while singing simultaneously.
- In traditional Japanese music, the verb 弾く is used for the koto (a long zither), showing that the term existed long before the piano was introduced.
Examples in context
- 私はピアノを弾きます。I play piano.This sentence demonstrates the use of ピアノを弾きます.Tatoeba #159067 by bunbuku, translation #866345 by elaichi
- 趣味でピアノを弾きます。Shumi de piano o hikimasu.I play piano as a hobby.
Example conversation
Youta and Misaki are talking about their hobbies.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは、何か楽器ができますか。Youta-san wa, nanika gakki ga dekimasu ka.Youta, can you play any instruments?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、私はピアノを弾きます。Hai, watashi wa piano o hikimasu.Yes, I play the piano.
- 美咲 Misakiすごいですね！いつから弾いているんですか。Sugoi desu ne! Itsu kara hiite iru n desu ka.That's amazing! How long have you been playing?
- 陽太 Yota子供の頃から弾いています。Kodomo no koro kara hiite imasu.I've been playing since I was a child.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
