うた
Alternative writings: ,
JLPT:N5
Frequency:
1

A song; singing — a musical piece performed with melody and vocals.

Noun

Examples

カラオケで好きな歌を思い切り歌った。

I sang my favorite songs at karaoke with all my heart.

母は昔の歌をよく口ずさんでいる。

My mother often hums old songs.

子どもたちに童謡の歌を教えた。

I taught the children a nursery rhyme.

その曲は歌詞もメロディーも覚えやすい歌だ。

That tune is a song whose lyrics and melody are easy to remember.

2

A classical Japanese poem (especially tanka); traditional short poetry.

Noun

Examples

万葉集に収められた歌は古代の感情を伝える貴重な資料だ。

The poems included in the Manyoshu are valuable records conveying ancient emotions.

短歌の授業で古い歌をいくつか朗読した。

In the tanka class, we read aloud several classical poems.

3

Poetry or poetic works (including modern poetry); broader poetic expression in words.

Noun

Examples

彼は自作の歌を詩集にまとめて発表した。

He compiled his own poems and published them in a collection.

現代歌の表現は自由で実験的なものも多い。

Expressions in modern poetry are often free and experimental.

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