What does it mean word for word?
バイオリン is the loanword for violin. を (o) marks the violin as the direct object. 弾きます (hikimasu) is the polite form of the verb used for playing instruments with strings or a keyboard.
Which one should you use?
Watashi wa baiorin o enso shimasu. also means I play the violin and carries a slightly more formal tone, closer to perform. Watashi wa baiorin o hikeru. means I can play the violin.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
バイオリンを弾きます is polite. Using the dictionary form 弾く (hiku), as in バイオリンを弾く, makes the statement informal or casual.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say you played the violin in the past, change 弾きます to 弾きました (hikimashita), giving バイオリンを弾きました. To stress that you are able to play, use the potential form 弾けます (hikemasu), giving バイオリンを弾けます.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced baiorin o hikimasu. The particle を sounds like the English letter o.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Japanese uses different verbs for playing different instruments. 弾きます is only for instruments with strings or a keyboard, so it is the right verb for the violin.
Did you know?
- If you use the verb 弾く ('hiku') to describe something other than music, it can mean 'to repel' or 'to shake off', such as water sliding off a waterproof jacket.
- Japanese uses entirely different verbs for 'playing' depending on the instrument. While a violin uses 弾く ('hiku'), a flute uses 吹く ('fuku' meaning 'to blow') and a drum uses 叩く ('tataku' meaning 'to hit').
- The verb 弾く ('hiku') literally means 'to pull' or 'to pluck'. This describes the physical action of pulling a bow across the strings or plucking a string with a finger.
Examples in context
- 趣味でバイオリンを弾きます。Shumi de baiorin o hikimasu.I play the violin as a hobby.
- 毎日、家でバイオリンを弾きます。Mainichi, ie de baiorin o hikimasu.I play the violin at home every day.
Example conversation
Two people are talking about their hobbies at school.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんは何か楽器ができますか？Hiyori-san wa nanika gakki ga dekimasu ka?Hiyori, can you play any instruments?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、私はバイオリンを弾きます。Hai, watashi wa baiorin o hikimasu.Yes, I play the violin.
- 健太 Kentaすごいですね！いつから弾いていますか？Sugoi desu ne! Itsu kara hiite imasu ka?That's amazing! How long have you been playing?
- 陽葵 Himari子供の時から弾いています。Kodomo no toki kara hiite imasu.I've been playing since I was a child.
