How to Say "Poetry" in Japanese

詩

shi[ɕi]

The Japanese word for poetry is 詩 (shi). Wiktionary also lists 詩歌 (shiika).

Meaning: literature composed in verse (noun)

Ways to say it

“poetry” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
詩	shi	[ɕi] (narrow)
詩歌	shiika	[ɕiːka̠] (narrow) [ɕika̠] (narrow)

The term is used to describe literature composed in verse or to refer to a specific poem.

The character 詩 specifically denotes a poem or the art of poetry.

While 詩 refers to poetry or a specific poem, 詩歌 is used as a collective term to refer to poetry and songs together.

shi

Historically, the ability to compose 詩 was a requirement for government officials passing the imperial examinations in East Asia.
Japanese poetry often avoids the rhyme schemes common in English, focusing instead on a rhythmic count of syllables called 音, or 'on'.
While 詩 refers to modern poetry, the classical form 和歌 was historically used to distinguish indigenous Japanese poetry from Chinese imports.

私は小説より詩の方が好きです。
I prefer poetry to novels.
This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for 詩 over novels.
Tatoeba #2702380 by tommy_san, translation #2703319 by WestofEden
私たち二人とも詩が大好きです。
We both love poetry.
This sentence is useful for expressing a love for 詩.
Tatoeba #8592826 by small_snow, translation #6608757 by Hybrid
この詩についてどう思いますか？
What do you think of this poetry?
This sentence is useful for asking for an opinion regarding a piece of 詩.
Tatoeba #9958142 by small_snow, translation #9149697 by sundown
私は詩が好きです。
I like poetry.
彼は俳句を書くことが得意です。
He is good at writing haiku.
最近、歌を詩として表現するアーティストに興味を持っています。
Lately, I've been interested in artists who express songs as poetry.
6 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Yota are talking at a bookstore.

美咲 Misaki

陽太さんは詩が好きですか？
Youta-san wa shi ga suki desu ka?
Yota, do you like poetry?
陽太 Yota

はい、短い詩が大好きです。
Hai, mijikai shi ga daisuki desu.
Yes, I love short poems.
美咲 Misaki

素敵な詩集がありますよ。
Suteki na shishu ga arimasu yo.
There is a lovely collection of poetry.
陽太 Yota

本当ですか？見てみます。
Hontou desu ka? Mite mimasu.
Really? I will take a look.

Sources

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