歌曲|かきょくkakyoku[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounmelody; tune; song

• Synonym曲きょくNeutralNeutral. Covers musical pieces and compositions generally, and works as a counter as in 「一曲歌う」; 「歌曲」 is limited to vocal works such as art songs.
• Synonym歌謡かようWrittenWritten/formal. Refers to popular songs, folk songs and the like, as in 「歌謡曲」; 「歌曲」 leans toward classical vocal works.
• Synonym旋律せんりつWrittenWritten/formal. Means melody or tune; 「歌曲」 is a work with lyrics.
• SynonymソングCasualColloquial loanword for a song, mostly in compounds like 「ラブソング」; 「歌曲」 leans classical.
• Synonym歌うたNeutralNeutral and the most common word for a song; also covers waka and tanka poetry. 「歌曲」 leans toward classical vocal works.
• Synonym唱歌しょうかWrittenWritten/formal. Covers the act of singing and the song sung, plus school music-class songs; 「歌曲」 leans classical vocal.
• Related歌唱かしょうWrittenWritten/formal. Points to the act of singing; 「歌曲」 is the work itself, not the performance.

Use 「歌曲」 for classical vocal works and art songs, as in 「シューベルトの歌曲」. For everyday songs pick 「歌」 or 「曲」, for popular songs 「歌謡」, for the loanword 「ソング」, and for melody 「旋律」.

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

1. 声楽せいがくのための曲きょく。リート。