Japanese Conversation · Level 120
60 words
Japanese word
音色
Pronunciation
Romajineiro
Meaning
- nountimbre
Example
この楽器は明るい音色です。ko no gak ki wa aka ru i ne iro de su
This instrument has a bright timbre.
More examples
演奏者によって、同じ曲でも音色が変わります。en sō sha ni yo tte ona ji kyoku de mo ne iro ga ka wa ri ma su
The timbre changes even when the same piece is played by different performers.
Core concept
Timbre is the distinctive sound quality that makes one instrument or voice recognizable even when pitch and loudness are the same.
Common phrases
澄んだ音色su n da ne iro
clear timbre
温かい音色atata ka i ne iro
warm timbre
力強い音色chikara zuyo i ne iro
powerful timbre
Similar words
音質onshitsu: The quality and character of a sound as perceived through features such as clarity and texture.
Definition in Japanese
音の高さや強さとは別に感じられる、楽器や声などに固有の音の質。oto no taka sa ya tsuyo sa to wa betsu ni kan ji ra re ru gak ki ya koe na do ni ko yū no oto no shitsu
Word origin
The noun 音色 (neiro) combines 音 (ne, "sound") and 色 (iro, "color"), using "color" as a metaphor for a sound's distinctive quality.
Usage tips
- In an orchestra, timbre helps listeners distinguish a violin from a flute even when both play the same pitch.
Other meanings
- tonenoun