General term for a person who sings, often with a slightly poetic or traditional feel compared to 歌手.
She is a wonderful singer.
A singer was playing guitar on the street corner.
nagauta singer (in kabuki)
Specific to the traditional nagauta musical style performed in kabuki theater.
See also: 長唄
On the kabuki stage, the nagauta singer let their beautiful voice resound.
singer of noh chants
Refers to a performer who sings the utai (chant) in noh theater.
See also: 謡
In the noh theater, the singer of noh chants began to recite quietly.
Another term for 'singer', often used in folk or traditional contexts, similar to 歌うたい but can also refer to a performer of specific genres.
Standard spelling for the general sense of 'singer'.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common.
Compound of 歌 (uta, 'song') + うたい (utai, the nominalized form of 歌う (utau, 'to sing')). The spelling variations reflect different kanji choices for 'uta' and 'utai'.