also: しょうやきょく
noun
serenade
A musical term for a serenade, often used in classical music contexts. Cross-referenced with セレナーデ, which is the more common loanword.
See also: セレナーデ
モーツァルトの小夜曲は有名だ。
Mozart's serenade is famous.
Standard kanji spelling for 'serenade'.
Obsolete kana usage; the reading さよきょく is standard.
セレナーデ is the more common loanword for 'serenade' in modern Japanese, while 小夜曲 is a kanji-based term used mainly in classical music titles.
Compound of 小夜 (sayo, 'evening') and 曲 (kyoku, 'piece of music'), literally 'evening music piece'. The reading さよきょく is standard; しょうやきょく is an older reading.