How to say "drum" in Japanese

• ドラムCommon
  nounThe loanword for Western-style drums. Use this when talking about a drum kit — the set of drums and cymbals played by a band's drummer.
  彼女かのじょはドラムたたくことができる。↗

  She can play the drum.
• 太鼓たいこJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveThe native word for a drum in the general sense, including the large Japanese drums beaten at festivals and in taiko performance. For a Western drum kit, ドラム is the natural choice.
  鉦かねや太鼓たいこで探さがしあてた割わりには、あいつ期待きたいはずれだったよな。↗

  He turned out to be a real disappointment after we went through hell and high water to find him.
• ドラム缶ドラムかんCommon
  nounNot a musical drum at all: this means the cylindrical metal barrel used for storing and shipping oil, gasoline and other liquids.
• 教え込むおしえこむCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbA verb, not a musical instrument: it means to teach something thoroughly or to instill it in someone, matching the English idiom 'drum into'.
  言い換いいかえれば、教育きょういくは知能ちのうに自然しぜんの法則ほうそくを教え込おしえこむことである。↗

  In other words, education is the instruction of the intellect in the laws of Nature.
• 鼓つづみCommon
  nounA general term for struck leather percussion instruments — the traditional Japanese drums of classical music and performing arts. It is not the word for a Western drum kit.

Use 「ドラム」 for Western drums and drum kits, 太鼓 for drums in general including Japanese taiko, 「ドラム缶」 for metal barrels such as oil drums, 鼓 for traditional leather percussion, and 「教え込む」 for the verb 'drum into'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ドラムdrum
• 太鼓たいこdrum
• ドラム缶ドラムかんdrum (e.g. oil, gasoline)
• 教え込むおしえこむto teach thoroughly
• にべdrum
• 鼓つづみdrum (general term for struck leather percussion instruments)