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序奏 (じょそう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

序じょ奏そう

じょ

そ

う

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

introduction; prelude

music

Musical term for an introductory section of a piece, similar to an overture or prelude.

交こう響きょう曲きょくの序じょ奏そうは静しずかに始はじまる。
The symphony's introduction begins quietly.

Kanji

序preface, beginning, order
奏play music, speak to a ruler, complete

Similar words

前ぜん奏そう
前奏 is a more general term for a musical prelude, while 序奏 often implies a formal introduction to a larger work.
序じょ曲きょく
序曲 specifically means 'overture', a standalone introductory piece, whereas 序奏 is the introductory section within a composition.

Etymology

Compound of 序 (jo, 'beginning' or 'preface') and 奏 (sō, 'to play music'). The reading is on'yomi.