詠よみ人びと

よ

み

び

と

Meanings

poem composer; poet

Refers specifically to someone who composes traditional Japanese poetry (waka, tanka). Often used in classical contexts or when discussing poetry composition.

この歌うたの詠よみ人びとは不ふ明めいです。
The composer of this poem is unknown.
詠よみ人びと知しらずの和わ歌かが多おおく残のこっている。
Many poems by unknown composers remain.

See all 4 example sentences ›

Expressions

詠よみ人びと知しらずauthor unknown; anonymous

Kanji

詠recitation, poem, song
人person
読read

Related words

歌か人じん
歌人 is a more general term for a poet, especially one who composes waka or tanka, while 詠み人 often appears in the phrase 詠み人知らず (composer unknown).
作さく者しゃ
作者 is a broad term for author or creator of any work, not limited to poetry.

Built from

詠よむ+人ひと

Written forms

詠よみ人びとUsage21%
Preferred kanji spelling for 'poem composer', emphasizing the act of composing poetry.
読よみ人びとUsage58%
Abbreviated kanji form, less common.
読よみ人びとUsage21%
Alternate spelling using the general kanji for 'read', also used for poem composers.
詠よみ人びと
Abbreviated kanji form, less common.

Etymology

Compound of 詠み (yomi, 'composing poetry', continuative form of 詠む) + 人 (hito, 'person'), with rendaku voicing of ひと to びと.