How to say Music in Japanese?

Have you ever wondered how to say music in Japanese? Do you know the terms “ongaku” and “uta”? What is the difference between them? Discover now in this complete article about Japanese music

Music is a universal art that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries, connecting people from all corners of the world. Japan, with its rich cultural and musical tradition, is no exception to this reality. In this article, we will discover how to say “music” in Japanese and explore the various nuances and meanings of this word. Additionally, we will get to know the most popular musical styles in Japan and dive into the fascinating history of Japanese music.

How to Say Music in Japanese?

There are two ways to say music in Japanese, they are Ongaku and Uta (song). Of course, there are other terms such as the import of “music” from English (ミュージック). Shall we take a detailed look at each?

「音楽」 Ongaku – Music in Japanese

The Japanese word for music is 音楽 (ongaku). Ongaku is composed of two kanji characters: 音 (on), which means “sound” and 楽 (gaku), which means “comfort,” “relaxation,” “entertainment,” and “music.” Together, they form the word for music, which encompasses a wide range of musical styles and genres.

Example sentences:

• Ongaku o kiku (音楽を聴く) – Means “to listen to music.”
• Ongaku o kanaderu (音楽を奏でる) – Means “to play music.”
• Kanojo wa ongaku ga daisuki desu (彼女は音楽が大好きです) – She loves music.
• Ongaku no shumi wa nan desu ka? (音楽の趣味は何ですか？) – What are your musical interests?
• Kyou wa ongaku konsaato ni ikimasu (今日は音楽コンサートに行きます) – Today I am going to a music concert.
• Kare wa ongaku sensei desu (彼は音楽先生です) – He is a music teacher.
• Ongaku wa seikatsu ni fukami wo ataemasu (音楽は生活に深みを与えます) – Music gives depth to life.

「歌」 – Uta – Song in Japanese

Uta is another Japanese word for music, but it generally refers specifically to songs with lyrics. Uta can also be used to refer to traditional Japanese songs, such as min’yo (民謡) or folk songs.

• Kare no uta wa totemo utsukushii desu (彼の歌はとても美しいです) – His song is very beautiful.
• Uta o utau no ga suki desu ka? (歌を歌うのが好きですか？) – Do you like to sing?
• Kono uta no namae wa nan desu ka? (この歌の名前は何ですか？) – What is the name of this song?
• Karaoke de uta o utaimashou (カラオケで歌を歌いましょう) – Let’s sing at karaoke.
• Ano uta wa natsukashii desu (あの歌は懐かしいです) – That song brings back memories.

We also recommend reading: List of Musical Instruments from Japan

Other Ways to Say Music in Japanese

See below other ways to refer to songs or specific types of music in Japanese:

Kayou (歌謡): Kayou is a term used to describe popular songs, usually accompanied by traditional Japanese musical instruments, such as shamisen and koto. Kayou can also refer to the musical genre enka, which combines elements of traditional Japanese music with Western influences.

Gakufu (楽譜): Gakufu is the Japanese word for musical score, which is the written representation of musical notes and other symbols used to play a musical piece.

Oto (音): Oto means sound in Japanese and can be used to describe any type of sound, including musical sounds. However, oto is not specifically synonymous with music, but rather a more general term.

Hougaku (邦楽): This word combines “hou” (邦), which means “homeland” or “nation,” with “gaku” (楽) to refer to traditional Japanese music.

Yougaku (洋楽): Here, “you” (洋) means “foreign” or “Western,” and “gaku” (楽) refers to music. Thus, yougaku describes Western or foreign music in general.

Gendai ongaku (現代音楽): Gendai (現代) means “modern” or “contemporary.” Gendai ongaku refers to contemporary music, which can include a variety of styles and genres.

Karaoke (カラオケ): Karaoke is a popular form of entertainment in Japan, where people sing songs, usually accompanied by a pre-recorded instrumental track. The word karaoke is composed of the characters kara (空), which means “empty,” and oke (オケ), an abbreviation of “orchestra.” In this case, uta is used to refer to the songs that are sung during karaoke sessions.

Anison (アニソン): Anison is an abbreviation of “anime song” and refers to theme songs from anime, Japanese animations. These songs are usually accompanied by lyrics and often become popular among fans.

J-Pop (ジェイポップ): This is the abbreviation for “Japanese Pop” and refers to the genre of Japanese pop music.

J-Rock (ジェイロック): Similarly, J-Rock is the abbreviation for “Japanese Rock” and refers to the genre of Japanese rock music.

Music-Related Terms

• Ongaku (音楽) – Music
• Uta (歌) – Song
• Gakki (楽器) – Musical instrument
• Ongakuka (音楽家) – Musician
• Kashu (歌手) – Singer
• Gakudan (楽団) – Orchestra or band
• Ensou (演奏) – Performance or presentation
• Koncerto (コンサート) – Concert
• Ongaku fairu (音楽ファイル) – Music file
• Rhythm (リズム) – Rhythm
• Melody (メロディ) – Melody
• Chorus (コーラス) – Chorus
• Gakufu (楽譜) – Score
• Tenor (テナー) – Tenor
• Soprano (ソプラノ) – Soprano

Enka Music (演歌)

Enka is a traditional Japanese musical genre that combines elements of Japanese music with Western influences. Enka originated in the late 19th century and has developed over time to become one of the most representative genres of Japanese music.

Enka songs are characterized by their emotional melodies and nostalgic lyrics, which often address themes such as love, loss, and longing. Enka is also known for the use of traditional Japanese musical instruments, such as the shamisen, koto, and shakuhachi, alongside Western instruments like violins, pianos, and guitars.

The vocal technique in Enka is unique, with singers using a style called kobushi, which involves modulating the voice to create an emotional and expressive sound. Many Enka artists, such as Hibari Misora and Saburo Kitajima, have become cultural icons in Japan, representing Japanese identity and tradition.

We recommend reading: Enka Music – History, curiosities, and Rankings

History of Japanese Music

The history of Japanese music can be traced back to the Jomon period (14,000 BC – 300 BC), when the first musical instruments, such as flutes and drums, were introduced to Japan. However, Japanese music really began to develop during the Nara period (710 – 794 AD), when Chinese culture and art began to influence Japan.

During the Heian period (794 – 1185 AD), court music, known as gagaku, became popular. Gagaku is the oldest form of classical Japanese music and is still performed at ceremonies and formal events. Other musical styles, such as shomyo (Buddhist chanting) and saibara (folk songs), also emerged during this period.

During the Edo period (1603 – 1868), Japanese music began to diversify with the development of different styles, such as kabuki (Japanese theater) and rakugo (comic storytelling). During this period, the shamisen also emerged, a three-stringed instrument similar to a banjo, which played an important role in traditional Japanese music.