Usage patterns サビが 入はい る for the chorus/hook to kick in
The intro ends, and finally the chorus kicks in.
サビを 歌うた う to sing the chorus/hook
Everyone sang the chorus loudly together.
サビで 盛も り 上あ がる for things to get exciting/energetic at the chorus
This song really picks up energy at the chorus.
サビが 始はじ まる for the chorus/hook to start
As soon as the chorus started, the audience all raised their hands.
Related words ハイライト is a general word for the most exciting or memorable part of anything (a game, a speech, a song), while サビ refers specifically to the climactic hook or chorus section of a song.
コーラス can mean the refrain of a song sung by a group, whereas サビ is the catchiest, most emotionally peak part of a song regardless of who sings it.
Don't confuse with サビ (the musical hook/chorus) is pronounced identically to 錆 （さび ）, which means "rust" and has nothing to do with music.
メロ labels the verse or pre-chorus section of a song, whereas サビ specifically means the chorus or hook, so the two are easily mixed up when discussing song structure.
Written forms サビ Usage 93%
Katakana spelling is standard for this music term.
さび Usage 7%
Hiragana spelling is also used, but katakana is more common.
Etymology From the noun 錆 (さび , 'rust'), possibly via the idea of a 'rusty' or rough vocal quality in traditional music, or from the verb 寂びる (さびる , 'to become mellow/patina'). The exact derivation is uncertain.
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