karaoke
/kaɾaˈoke/masculine
The English word "karaoke" is translated into Spanish as karaoke.
Meaning: a form of entertainment (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly in the Caribbean, the term videoke is used to denote the activity of singing along to music videos.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine, so it is used with the definite article el to form el karaoke.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾaˈoke/
Did you know?
- The word karaoke is a linguistic hybrid that combines a Japanese word for 'empty' with a clipped version of the English word 'orchestra'.
- The variation videoke is common in the Caribbean to specify that the accompaniment is a music video rather than just a backing track.
- While karaoke refers to the activity, in Spanish it is also commonly used to name the physical venue, such as ir al karaoke to mean going to a karaoke bar.
Examples in context
- ¿Quién inventó el karaoke?Who invented karaoke?This sentence is useful for asking about the invention of karaoke.Tatoeba #4645476 by cueyayotl, translation #276129 by CK
- Me pregunto por qué el karaoke es tan popular.I wonder why karaoke is so popular.This sentence is useful for wondering about the popularity of karaoke.Tatoeba #1925999 by hayastan, translation #38772 by CK
- Habiendo encontrado a un huésped humano adecuado, un ambicioso Cuba Libre cantó una hermosa balada en el karaoke del bar.Having found a suitable human host, an ambitious Cuba Libre sang a beautiful ballad at the karaoke bar.This sentence is useful for describing an event occurring at a karaoke bar.Tatoeba #817873 by Shishir, translation #813215 by papabear
- El evento contará con una máquina de karaoke para el entretenimiento de los invitados.The event will feature a karaoke machine for the guests' entertainment.
- Los empleados podrán cantar al estilo karaoke durante la fiesta de fin de año.The employees will be able to sing karaoke-style during the New Year's party.
- Este viernes vamos a un bar de karaoke. ¿Quieres unirte?We're going to a karaoke bar this Friday. Do you want to join?
- Vamos a cantar en un karaoke después de la cena.We're going to sing at a karaoke after dinner.
- Me encanta el videoke. Siempre me divierto cantando con amigos los fines de semana.I love videoke. I always have fun singing with friends on weekends.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are planning their Friday night.
- LucíaVamos al karaoke este viernes, ¿quieres?Let's go to karaoke this Friday, do you want to?
- MateoMe parece genial, me encanta el karaoke.That sounds great, I love karaoke.
- LucíaTengo una canción perfecta para cantar.I have a perfect song to sing.
- MateoEntonces Mateo y Lucía serán las estrellas.Then Mateo and Lucía will be the stars.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “karaoke” translations and entries karaoke, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries karaoke, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
