Japanese Conversation · Level 129
60 words
Japanese word
琴
Pronunciation
Romajikoto
Meaning
- nounkoto
Example
姉は琴を弾きます。ane wa koto o hi ki ma su
My older sister plays the koto.
More examples
祖母は毎朝、琴の練習をしています。so bo wa mai asa koto no ren shū o shi te i ma su
My grandmother practices the koto every morning.
Core concept
The koto turns the tension of stretched strings over a hollow wooden body into a clear, changing musical voice.
Common phrases
琴を弾くkoto o hi ku
play the koto
琴の音色koto no ne iro
the koto's tone
Definition in Japanese
木製の胴に張った弦を柱で支え、爪で弾いて音を出す、日本の伝統的な弦楽器。moku sei no dō ni ha tta gen o hashira de sasa e tsume de hi i te oto o da su nihon no den tō teki na gen gak ki
Word origin
The native Japanese word 琴 (koto, "zither") is written with a Chinese character for a zither, borrowed into Japanese writing from Chinese.
Usage tips
- English also uses koto as a loanword for this Japanese zither, especially in writing about Japanese music and instruments.