オーケストラ
ōkesutora[o̞ːke̞sɨ̥to̞ɾa̠]
The English word orchestra is translated into Japanese as オーケストラ (ōkesutora).
The term refers to a large group of musicians who play together on various instruments. It is a loanword from English and is written using the katakana script.
Meaning: large group of musicians who play together on various instruments (noun)
Which one should you use?
While オーケストラ is the common loanword, the more formal or technical term for orchestral music or an orchestra is 管弦楽.
How do you pronounce it?
ōkesutora
Did you know?
- While オーケストラ is the standard loanword, Japanese musicians often use the abbreviation オケ in casual conversation.
- Japanese describes a 'symphony orchestra' as 交響楽団. The word 交響 means 'mutual resonance' and 楽団 means 'music group'.
- When referring to a 'chamber orchestra', Japanese uses 室内楽 which translates to 'indoor music' or 'room music'.
Examples in context
- 彼らはコンサートホールの最前列に座ってオーケストラを聞いた。They sat in the front row of the concert hall and heard the orchestra clearly.This sentence shows how to describe hearing the オーケストラ in a concert hall.Tatoeba #98068 by tommy__san, translation #305634 by CM
- フランツ・リストは「交響詩」という概念を創始した。交響詩とは、音楽外の内容を音楽によって描写するオーケストラ作品のことである。そこでは人々、伝説上の人物、風景、絵画などが描写される。Franz Liszt created the concept of the "symphonic poem". This is a composition for orchestra that uses music to describe nonmusical content. This could include, for example, people, legendary figures, landscapes, or paintings.This sentence explains how an オーケストラ is used in the context of a symphonic poem.Tatoeba #2223746 by tommy_san, translation #2725633 by AlanF_US
- 一緒にオケに参加しよう！楽しいはずだよ。Let's join the orchestra together! It should be fun.
- オーケストラはとても迫力がありますね。Ōkesutora wa totemo hakuryoku ga arimasu ne.The orchestra is very powerful, isn't it?
Example conversation
A couple is watching a classical music performance at a concert hall.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さん、あのオーケストラ、すごい迫力だね。Yōta-san, ano ōkesutora, sugoi hakuryoku da ne.Yota, that orchestra is so powerful.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね。美咲、感動している？Sō da ne. Misaki, kandō shite iru?You're right. Misaki, are you moved?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、すごく感動しているよ。Un, sugoku kandō shite iru yo.Yes, I am very moved.
- 陽太 Yotaよかった。最高の音楽だね。Yokatta. Saikō no ongaku da ne.I'm glad. It's the best music.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “orchestra” translations and entries オーケストラ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
