Japanese Conversation · Level 12
90 words
Japanese word
バラード
Pronunciation
Romajibarādo
Meaning
- nounballad
Example
父は昔のバラードをよく聴きます。chichi wa mukashi no ba rā do o yo ku ki ki ma su
My father often listens to old ballads.
More examples
この歌手は静かなバラードで聴衆を魅了します。ko no ka shu wa shizu ka na ba rā do de chō shū o mi ryō shi ma su
This singer captivates the audience with a quiet ballad.
Core concept
A ballad centers on a song that carries a story or strong feeling through a measured, often gentle melody.
Common phrases
バラードを聴くba rā do o ki ku
listen to a ballad
バラードを歌うba rā do o uta u
sing a ballad
バラードを書くba rā do o ka ku
write a ballad
Similar words
歌謡曲kayōkyoku: A popular song made for broad public listening.
歌曲kakyoku: A song treated as a musical work, without a focus on its story or emotional mood.
Definition in Japanese
物語や情感を表す歌詞を、ゆったりした曲調で歌う歌や音楽。monogatari ya jō kan o arawa su ka shi o yu tta ri shi ta kyoku chō de uta u uta ya on gaku
Word origin
The Japanese word バラード (barādo) is borrowed from English ballad, which comes through French ballade from Italian ballata, meaning a dance song, from ballare, meaning to dance.
Usage tips
- In English, ballad can mean both an older narrative song and a modern slow, emotional song, so the word covers more than one musical tradition.