JLPT · Level 193
16 words
Japanese word
三味線
Pronunciation
Romajishamisen
Meaning
- nounshamisen
Example
祖父は三味線を弾きます。so fu wa shami sen o hi ki ma su
My grandfather plays the shamisen.
More examples
祭りで三味線の音色を聞きました。matsu ri de shami sen no ne iro o ki ki ma shi ta
I heard the sound of a shamisen at the festival.
Core concept
Refers to a three-stringed Japanese instrument with a long neck and a skin-covered body, played with a plectrum to produce a distinctive sound.
Common phrases
三味線を弾くshami sen o hi ku
play the shamisen
三味線の音色shami sen no ne iro
the tone of the shamisen
三味線を習うshami sen o nara u
learn to play the shamisen
Definition in Japanese
三本の弦を張った長い棹と皮張りの胴を持ち、ばちで弾いて音を出す弦楽器。san pon no gen o ha tta naga i sao to kawa ba ri no dō o mo chi ba chi de hi i te oto o da su gen gak ki
Word origin
The Japanese noun 三味線 (shamisen) developed from the Okinawan sanshin, which came from the Chinese sanxian.
Usage tips
- In English, shamisen often appears in descriptions of kabuki and bunraku, where its music forms part of the traditional stage sound.