The Meaning of kashu [歌手] In Japanese

歌手
かしゅ
Romaji: kashu N5

What does 歌手 mean?

Translation and Meaning

singer, vocalist

Definition

What does 歌手 mean? It denotes a person who sings, a singer or vocalist, typically a public performer such as a recording artist or stage singer.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Basic sense: a person who sings, especially as a public performer
  • Professional or notable singers across genres, from pop to opera
  • Gender-neutral term used in formal and media contexts

Etymology

ka (on-yomi of 歌) + shu (on-yomi of 手) combine to form 歌手, pronounced kashu; this reflects a Sino-Japanese compound whose pronunciation streamlined into a single word for “singer.”

Composition

  • 歌: song, to sing
  • 手: hand, worker; in compounds indicates a person who performs the action

Usage

Used in neutral, formal, and media contexts to refer to a person who sings; common phrases include an era of being a popular singer, such as 有名な歌手. In casual speech or online contexts, loanwords like シンガー are often heard, and for classical repertoire the term 声楽家 may be used for precision.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a performer holding a microphone with one hand while singing; the 手 (hand) hints at a person who does the singing action.

Variations

  • シンガー (shingā) — singer, modern loanword often used in pop culture
  • ボーカリスト (bōkarisuto) — vocalist, loanword from English
  • 歌い手 (utaite) — online or informal singer, especially on social platforms
  • 声楽家 (seigakuka) — classical singer

Example Phrases

  • 昨日、 路上で 歌手を 見かけて、 友達に 写真を 見せた。
    Kinō, rojō de kashu o mikakete, tomodachi ni shashin o miseta.
    Yesterday, I spotted a singer on the street and showed my friend a photo.
    Lista:
    • 昨日、 (Kinō,) – yesterday
    • 路上で (rojō de) – on the street
    • 歌手を (kashu o) – singer
    • 見かけて、 (mikakete,) – spotted
    • 友達に (tomodachi ni) – to a friend
    • 写真を (shashin o) – a photo
    • 見せた。 (miseta.) – showed
    O núcleo é 「歌手」, um substantivo que significa ‘singer’; a partícula を marca o objeto direto de 見かける; a forma て liga as ações: 見かけて liga a 見せた.
歌手