Japanese word

曲

Pronunciation

Romajikyoku

Meaning

  • nounsong

Example

この曲を毎日聞きます。ko no kyoku o mai nichi ki ki ma su

I listen to this song every day.

Illustration for 曲 (song)

More examples

この曲が好きです。ko no kyoku ga su ki de su

I like this song.

この曲は映画の最後に流れます。ko no kyoku wa ei ga no sai go ni naga re ma su

This song plays at the end of the movie.

Core concept

A 曲 (kyoku) is a distinct musical work with its own complete musical flow, whether it is sung or played.

Common phrases

  • 曲を聴くkyoku o ki ku

    listen to a song

  • 曲を歌うkyoku o uta u

    sing a song

  • 曲が流れるkyoku ga naga re ru

    a song plays

Similar words

歌uta: A vocal musical work with words that are sung.

Definition in Japanese

歌や楽器によって演奏される音楽の一作品。uta ya gak ki ni yo tte en sō sa re ru on gaku no ichi saku hin

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 曲 (kyoku, "song") uses the character 曲, whose older meanings include "bend" and "curve"; its musical sense comes from an established Chinese use for a musical piece.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 曲 (kyoku) covers instrumental tracks as well as vocal songs, so song is not limited to music with lyrics.

Other meanings

  • tracknoun

Word lists with this word