Translation guide
The English verb 'sing' covers a range of actions from vocal music performance to poetic description. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 歌う (utau), but other verbs are used for specific contexts like chanting, chirping, or reciting.
The most common meaning: a person singing a song, melody, etc.
General verb for singing. Used for songs, lullabies, karaoke, etc.
彼女は毎日シャワーを浴びながら歌います。
She sings every day while taking a shower.
一緒に歌いましょう。
Let's sing together.
Alternative kanji for 歌う, often used for traditional or folk songs. Same reading and meaning, but less common in modern writing.
彼は民謡を唄うのが好きだ。
He likes singing folk songs.
Emphasizing the act of singing as a performance, often in a concert, opera, or competition.
Same verb, but context makes it clear it's a performance.
彼は昨夜コンサートで歌った。
He sang at the concert last night.
Formal term for singing, often used in competitions or classical contexts.
彼女は全国大会で歌唱した。
She sang at the national competition.
Describing animals producing musical or rhythmic sounds, like birds chirping or insects buzzing.
General verb for animal vocalizations. For birds, it means to chirp, sing, or call.
小鳥が朝早く鳴いている。
The little birds are singing early in the morning.
Specifically for birds singing melodiously; implies a pleasant, twittering sound.
Singing in a monotone or recitative style, such as hymns, sutras, or spells.
To chant, recite, or intone. Used for prayers, spells, sutras.
僧侶がお経を唱えた。
The monk chanted (sang) the sutra.
Formal term for chanting or singing in a religious or poetic context.
彼らは聖歌を詠唱した。
They chanted (sang) hymns.
Performing epic poems, ballads, or narratives with a musical quality.
Singing the praises of someone or something, often figuratively.
To praise highly; can be used figuratively for 'singing someone's praises'.
彼は上司の功績を褒め称えた。
He sang the praises of his boss's achievements.
To praise or glorify, often in a religious or formal context.
彼らは神を賛美する歌を歌った。
They sang songs praising God.
Describing inanimate objects producing a continuous musical or ringing sound.
To sound, ring, or make a noise. For wind or machines, it can be translated as 'sing' poetically.
風が電線を鳴らしている。
The wind is singing through the power lines.
To groan, roar, or hum. Can be used for a powerful engine sound, sometimes poetically as 'sing'.
While English uses 'sing' for birds, Japanese uses 鳴く (naku) or さえずる (saezuru). Using 歌う for animals sounds unnatural unless personifying them in a poetic way.
歌う (utau) is for songs with melody; 唱える (tonaeru) is for chanting without a distinct melody, like prayers or spells.
彼女は赤ちゃんに子守唄を歌った。
She sang a lullaby to the baby.
やかんがストーブの上でチンチン鳴った。
The kettle sang on the stove.
Japanese uses onomatopoeia チンチン for the whistling sound.
ウグイスが美しくさえずっている。
The bush warbler is singing beautifully.
The storyteller sang (recited) old tales.
The engine is singing powerfully.