韻
[ĩɴ]
The English word 'rhyme' is translated into Japanese as 韻.
The noun 韻 refers to the sameness of letters or sounds of some parts of words. To express the action of rhyming, you can use different verb phrases depending on the context.
Meaning: rhyming, sameness of letters or sounds of some parts of words, as ‘the poem exhibits rhyme’ (noun)
Which one should you use?
There are two main ways to express the verb 'to rhyme'. 韻を踏む is the most common way to express the act of rhyming in everyday speech or music contexts like hip-hop. In contrast, 押韻する is a more formal, technical or literary term used when discussing the linguistic concept of rhyme. Additionally, the term 脚韻 specifically refers to end rhyme, where the rhyme occurs at the end of lines.
Related words
Did you know?
- The phrase 韻を踏む (in o fumu) literally translates to 'to step on a rhyme'.
- Traditional Japanese poetry, such as Haiku, does not rely on rhyme but on a specific count of mora or syllables.
- In Japanese, the term 韻 is heavily associated with the influence of ancient Chinese poetry, where complex rhyming schemes were strictly required for a poem to be considered correct.
Examples in context
- 脚韻と平仄が漢詩の基本的ルールとなっています。Rhyme and meter form the essential rules of Chinese poetry.The sentence is useful for showing how 韻 is used when discussing the rules of Chinese poetry.Tatoeba #76242 by mookeee, translation #327476 by shekitten
- この詩には韻があります。Kono shi ni wa in ga arimasu.This poem has rhyme.
- 韻を踏むのは楽しいです。In o fumu no wa tanoshii desu.It is fun to use rhyme.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a poem they are writing together.
- 陽葵 Himariこの詩は韻が綺麗だね。Kono shi wa in ga kirei da ne.The rhyme in this poem is beautiful, isn't it?
- 健太 Kenta本当だね。すごく心地いいよ。Hontou da ne. Sugoku kokochiyoi yo.It really is. It feels very pleasant.
- 陽葵 Himari健太君の書いた部分は完璧だよ。Kenta-kun no kaita bubun wa kanpeki da yo.The part you wrote, Kenta, is perfect.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう。もっと練習するよ。Arigatou. Motto renshuu suru yo.Thank you. I will practice more.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 韻, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
