奏でる|かなでるkanaderu[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto play an instrument (esp. string instruments)
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto dance
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 奏でる（かなでる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 奏でます（かなでます） |
| Negative (nai) | 奏でない（かなでない） |
| polite (masen) | 奏でません（かなでません） |
| classical zu / nu | 奏でず・奏でぬ（かなでず・かなでぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 奏でた（かなでた） |
| polite (mashita) | 奏でました（かなでました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 奏でなかった（かなでなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 奏でませんでした（かなでませんでした） |
| Te form | 奏でて（かなでて） |
| Potential | 奏でられる（かなでられる） |
| Passive | 奏でられる（かなでられる） |
| Causative | 奏でさせる（かなでさせる） |
| Causative passive | 奏でさせられる（かなでさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 奏でれば（かなでれば） |
| tara | 奏でたら（かなでたら） |
| Volitional | 奏でよう（かなでよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 奏でましょう（かなでましょう） |
| Imperative | 奏でろ（かなでろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym演奏えんそうNeutralThe most general term for musical performance, as in 「ピアノ演奏」; 「奏でる」 is more literary, with a graceful, evocative feel.
- Synonym弾くひくNeutralThe everyday word for playing string or keyboard instruments; 「奏でる」 sounds more elegant and refined.
- Synonym奏楽そうがくWrittenWritten term for performing music, especially gagaku; used mainly in ceremonies.
- RelatedプレイCasualColloquial loanword for playing music, sports or games; it lacks the literary color of 「奏でる」.
- Relatedかき鳴らすかきならすNeutralTo strum or pluck strings, as on a guitar; the focus is on the plucking action itself.
- Related弾奏だんそうWrittenWritten-style term for playing stringed instruments; used only rarely.
- Related弾じるだんじるWrittenWritten and old-fashioned verb for playing stringed instruments; very rarely used.
For everyday use say 「演奏する」 or 「弾く」. 「奏でる」 is literary, for beautiful music as in 「ハーモニーを奏でる」, or metaphorically for things blending into harmony. 「かき鳴らす」 stresses strumming; 「弾奏」「弾じる」「奏楽」 are rare written words, 「奏楽」 for gagaku at ceremonies.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
