ギターを弾く
gitā o hiku
To play guitar in Japanese is ギターを弾く (gitā o hiku).
The phrase is used to describe the act of producing music by plucking or strumming the strings of a guitar.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 弾く (hiku) specifically refers to playing instruments that involve plucking or striking strings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle を (o) marks the guitar as the direct object of the action of playing.
How do you pronounce it?
gitā o hiku
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the verb 弾く (hiku) is a homonym for a word meaning 'to repel' or 'to reject', such as when water beads off a leaf.
- Japanese uses different verbs for 'playing' based on the instrument. While you 弾く (hiku) a guitar, you 吹く (fuku) a flute, which literally means 'to blow'.
- The verb 弾く (hiku) is also used for the piano, even though a pianist presses keys rather than plucking strings. This is because the piano produces sound via internal hammers striking strings.
Examples in context
- 私はくつろぎのためにギターを弾くのが大好きです。I love to play guitar for relaxation.
- 彼はギターを弾くのが上手です。Kare wa gitaa o hiku no ga jouzu desu.He is good at playing the guitar.
- 毎日、部屋でギターを弾く。Mainichi, heya de gitaa o hiku.I play the guitar in my room every day.
- 週末にギターを弾く予定です。Shuumatsu ni gitaa o hiku yotei desu.I plan to play the guitar this weekend.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんは趣味は何ですか？Kenta-san wa shumi wa nan desu ka?Kenta, what is your hobby?
- 健太 Kentaギターを弾くことです。Gitaa o hiku koto desu.It is playing the guitar.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね！いつギターを弾くんですか？Ii desu ne! Itsu gitaa o hiku n desu ka?That's nice! When do you play the guitar?
- 健太 Kenta暇な時にいつも弾いています。Himana toki ni itsumo hiite imasu.I always play whenever I'm free.
