Music is a universal language, but every culture has its own specific terms and instruments that make its music unique. Learning these terms in Japanese not only enriches your vocabulary but also deepens your understanding and appreciation of the culture. Below, you’ll find a selection of musical terms and instruments in Japanese, complete with definitions and example sentences.
音楽 (Ongaku) – Music
彼は音楽をとても愛しています。
This term refers to music in general, encompassing all genres and forms.
楽器 (Gakki) – Musical instrument
彼女はいろいろな楽器を演奏できます。
This is a general term for any musical instrument.
ピアノ (Piano) – Piano
彼は毎日ピアノを練習します。
This refers to the piano, a popular instrument both in Japan and worldwide.
ギター (Gitā) – Guitar
彼はギターで曲を作りました。
The guitar, a string instrument, is used in a variety of music genres.
バイオリン (Baiorin) – Violin
彼女はバイオリンをマスターすることを夢見ています。
A bowed string instrument, the violin is essential in many classical music ensembles.
ドラム (Doramu) – Drums
彼はドラムを叩くのが大好きです。
This term refers to drums, which are percussive musical instruments.
笛 (Fue) – Flute
彼は笛を吹くことが得意です。
A woodwind instrument, the flute produces sound from the flow of air across an opening.
和楽器 (Wagakki) – Traditional Japanese musical instrument
彼女は和楽器に興味を持っています。
This term specifically refers to traditional Japanese musical instruments.
尺八 (Shakuhachi) – Shakuhachi
尺八は日本の伝統音楽でよく使われます。
The shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese bamboo flute.
三味線 (Shamisen) – Shamisen
彼は三味線を弾くことができます。
A three-stringed traditional Japanese instrument, played with a plectrum.
太鼓 (Taiko) – Taiko
太鼓の音はとても力強いです。
Taiko are a broad range of Japanese percussion instruments.
演奏 (Ensō) – Performance (musical)
彼女は明日、ピアノの演奏をします。
This term refers to the act of performing music.
音階 (Onkai) – Musical scale
音階を覚えることは音楽の基本です。
A musical scale refers to a series of notes arranged in ascending or descending order.
調子 (Chōshi) – Tune, key
その曲はどの調子ですか？
This term can refer to the tune or the key in music.
旋律 (Senritsu) – Melody
その旋律はとても美しいです。
A melody is a sequence of notes that are perceived as a single entity.
和音 (Waon) – Chord
和音を使って曲を豊かにしましょう。
A chord in music is a group of notes played together.
リズム (Rizumu) – Rhythm
彼はリズム感がとてもいいです。
Rhythm is a fundamental aspect of music, referring to the timing of musical sounds.
休符 (Kyūfu) – Rest (music)
休符は音楽に静けさを加えます。
In music, a rest is a period of silence within a piece of music.
音符 (Onpu) – Musical note
この音符はどの長さですか？
A musical note is a symbol that represents a sound with a specific pitch and duration.
譜面 (Fumen) – Sheet music
譜面を読むことができれば、どんな曲も演奏できます。
Sheet music is used to perform music; it’s a written representation of music.
Incorporating these terms into your vocabulary will not only help you understand and discuss music more effectively in Japanese but also give you insights into the rich musical heritage of Japan. Whether you are a musician or simply a music enthusiast, these terms are essential for deepening your musical journey in the Japanese language.
