Skip to content
Kotomora

奏

play music, speak to a ruler, complete

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • ソウ

Kun'yomi

  • かな.でる

Nanori

  • すすむ

Meaning

奏 centers on presenting something forward: playing music for an audience, speaking formally to a ruler, or bringing a task to completion.

Most common words using 奏

20 of 105
  • 演奏えんそう
    N3

    musical performance

  • 吹奏楽すいそうがく

    wind music; wind instrument music

  • 奏そう

    report to the emperor

  • 奏者そうしゃ

    instrumentalist; player

  • 伴奏ばんそう

    accompaniment

  • 奏でるかなでる

    to play an instrument (esp. string instruments)

  • 重奏じゅうそう

    instrumental ensemble

  • 協奏曲きょうそうきょく

    concerto

  • 合奏がっそう

    ensemble (e.g. orchestra, chamber group, etc.); concert

  • 奏するそうする

    to report to the Emperor

  • 間奏かんそう

    interlude; intermezzo

  • 前奏ぜんそう

    prelude; overture

  • 奏法そうほう

    way of playing (an instrument); style of playing; playing technique

  • 独奏どくそう

    (instrumental) solo; recital

  • 変奏曲へんそうきょく

    variation

  • 奏すそうす

    to report to the Emperor

  • 奏功そうこう

    success; achievement; fruition

  • 吹奏すいそう
    N1

    playing (a wind instrument); blowing

  • 変奏へんそう

    (playing a) variation

  • 試奏しそう

    trying out (a musical instrument; e.g. in a store); test-playing

Explore all words using 奏 →

Study

Etymology

奏 is thought to combine a hand offering something with a plant or growth element, suggesting presenting or offering forward. The modern form has been simplified, and the exact historical development of the components is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The top looks like two hands holding something, and the bottom is 天 (heaven). Picture offering music or a report up to heaven, completing the act of presentation.

Reading mnemonic

For ソウ, imagine a soulful musician playing a song: soul -> ソウ, and the music is offered to the audience.