How to say "sing" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 歌ううたうgodan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe default word for a person singing a song, whether humming along or performing. Use this whenever 'sing' refers to human vocal music.
- godan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'sing' only for birds, in the sense of chirping or twittering cheerfully. Typically written in kana; it is not used for people or songs.
- 鳴くなくgodan verb, intransitive verbNot really the word for human singing; it means an animal making a sound, calling, or crying. Choose it when 'sing' describes a bird, dog, or other animal's cry.
Use 「歌う」 for people singing songs, 「さえずる」 for birds singing (chirping), and 「鳴く」 for animals making sounds in general; 「鳴く」 covers 'sing' only in the broad sense of animal cries.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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