Translation guide
A traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument, similar to a banjo, played with a plectrum.
shamisen (musical instrument)
The reading is 'shamisen', not 'samisen'.
Referring to the musical instrument itself.
The standard Japanese word for the instrument. Note that the reading is 'shamisen', not 'samisen', though 'samisen' is an older romanization sometimes used in English.
She is good at playing the shamisen.
Describing the action of playing the shamisen.
The verb 弾く (ひく) is used for playing stringed instruments.
I'd like to try playing the shamisen.
In Japanese, the instrument is called 'shamisen' (しゃみせん). The English spelling 'samisen' reflects an older romanization. When speaking Japanese, use 'shamisen'.