ラ
ra[ɾa̠]
In Japanese, ラ (ra) is the term for the sixth note of a major scale (la).
This term refers to the musical note 'la' in a major scale.
Meaning: sixth note of a major scale (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
ra
Did you know?
- The historical connection to the kanji 良 means that the character's origin is tied to the concept of 'good' or 'excellent' in classical Chinese-based writing.
- The use of ラ for the sixth note is part of a system adopted during the Meiji era to modernize Japanese music education via Western influence.
- Because ラ is a Katakana character, it is often used in Japanese texts to indicate that a word or sound is a foreign loanword.
Examples in context
- 『ヴァルセ・デ・ラ・ルネ』は菅野よう子によって作曲された。"Valse de la Lune" was composed by Yoko Kanno.This sentence is useful for seeing how ラ appears in a title of a musical work.Tatoeba #832139 by LugoIlmer, translation #9863023 by DJ_Saidez
- ラジオRadio
- こんにちはHello
- すみませんExcuse me / I'm sorry
- ありがとうございますThank you
- おはようございますGood morning
- ドレミファソラシドのラですね。Do re mi fa so ra si do no ra desu ne.It's 'la' from do re mi fa so la si do, right?
- この音はラです。Kono oto wa ra desu.This note is la.
Example conversation
A music lesson in a living room.
- 陽太 Yota次はラを弾いてみて。Tsugi wa ra o hiite mite.Try playing la next.
- 陽葵 Himariこれはラですか？Kore wa ra desu ka?Is this la?
- 陽太 Yotaいいえ、それはソだよ。Iie, sore wa so da yo.No, that is so.
- 陽葵 Himari分かりました、もう一度やります。Wakarimashita, mou ichido yarimasu.I understand, I will try again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “la” translations and entries ラ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ラ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
