歌
uta[ɯ̟ta̠]
The Japanese word for song is 歌 (uta).
歌 refers specifically to music with words. To express the act of singing a song, you use the construction 歌を歌う, which literally translates to sing a song.
Meaning: music with words (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 歌 refers to a song with lyrics, the word 曲 refers more broadly to a musical piece or a tune, which might not contain any words at all.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
uta
Did you know?
- While 歌 is the general word for song, the term カラオケ (karaoke) combines 空 meaning 'empty' and オケ for 'orchestra'. It describes a song where the human voice is removed.
- Japanese culture has a unique tradition called 歌舞伎, or Kabuki, which literally combines the words for 'song', 'dance' and 'skill'.
- In the ancient imperial court, 歌 referred specifically to 和歌, a form of poetry that was composed to be chanted or sung. For centuries, the distinction between a 'poem' and a 'song' was almost nonexistent.
Examples in context
- 一曲歌いたい。I want to sing a song.This sentence shows how to express a desire to sing a song using 歌.Tatoeba #190669 by bunbuku, translation #27829 by CK
- 歌が聞こえる？Can you hear the song?This sentence is useful for asking if a song can be heard using 歌.Tatoeba #10194962 by small_snow, translation #9741446 by DJ_Saidez
- 彼が歌を歌った。He sang a song.This sentence demonstrates the use of 歌 when describing someone who sang a song.Tatoeba #120553 by bunbuku, translation #283456 by CK
- 歌を歌うSing a song
- 美しい歌Beautiful song
- 歌の歴史History of song
- クラシックの歌曲Classical song
- 新しいソングを聴いたI listened to a new song
- 彼女のソングが好きI like her song
- あの唄好きやわ！I like that song!
- 161 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are listening to music in a cafe.
- 結衣 Yuiこの歌、すごく好き。Kono uta, sugoku suki.I really love this song.
- 陽太 Yota僕も、この歌はよく聴くよ。Boku mo, kono uta wa yoku kiku yo.Me too, I listen to this song often.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さんは、どんな歌が好き？Yota-san wa, donna uta ga suki?Yota, what kind of songs do you like?
- 陽太 Yotaゆっくりした曲が好きかな。Yukkuri shita kyoku ga suki kana.I guess I like slow songs.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “song” translations and entries 歌, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
