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Kotomora

謠

chant (esp. Noh), folksong, ballad

StatusJinmeiyō (variant)Strokes17

Readings

On'yomi

  • ヨウ

Kun'yomi

  • うた.う
  • うた

Meaning

謠 centers on a sung or chanted piece, especially a traditional folksong or ballad, and by extension the chanting style used in Noh theater.

Study

Etymology

謠 combines 言 (speech, words) with 䍃, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to a rhythmic or shaking motion, together suggesting a sung or chanted piece.

Meaning mnemonic

Words (言) set to a rhythmic, swaying motion (䍃) become a song or chant. Picture a Noh performer chanting a ballad while swaying gently.

Reading mnemonic

For ヨウ, imagine a folksong about a yo-yo: the yo-yo goes up and down while the singer chants 'yo, yo' — yo -> ヨウ.