歌う · godan verb (-u)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 歌う | 歌わない |
| Polite | 歌います | 歌いません |
| Past polite | 歌いました | 歌いませんでした |
| Past | 歌った | 歌わなかった |
| Te-form | 歌って | 歌わないで |
| Desire | 歌いたい | 歌いたくない |
| Potential | 歌える | 歌えない |
| Passive | 歌われる | 歌われない |
| Causative | 歌わせる | 歌わせない |
| Causative passive | 歌わせられるalso 歌わされる | 歌わせられないalso 歌わされない |
| Volitional | 歌おう | |
| Polite volitional | 歌いましょう | |
| Imperative | 歌え | 歌うな |
| Conditional | 歌えば | 歌わなければ |
| Tara conditional | 歌ったら | 歌わなかったら |
godan verb (-u), transitive verb, intransitive verb
General term for singing a song, melody, or vocal performance. Can be used transitively or intransitively.
She sings every day while taking a shower.
I sang my favorite song at karaoke.
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
compose poetry; recite a poem; sing of
Used for expressing emotions or scenes through poetry, especially waka or haiku. Often implies a lyrical, elevated tone. The kanji 詠う is particularly associated with this sense.
He composed a tanka singing of the joy of love.
I tried composing a haiku that sings of the beauty of spring.
He sang loudly at karaoke.
The poet sang of the beauty of nature.
I sang with my friends at karaoke.
She sang a song on stage.
He sang the national anthem at full volume.
歌唱する is a formal, often written or technical term for singing (e.g. in music education), while 歌う is the everyday word.
歌う is the plain verb 'to sing', while 歌い出す specifically highlights the sudden or spontaneous moment of starting to sing.
歌う is the plain, everyday verb 'to sing', whereas 唱歌する carries a more formal or dated feel.
female entertainer who sings and dances
lesser cuckoo
sing a tune; sing a song
rejoice and sing; sing for joy
singing while playing an instrument; singing to one's own accompaniment
opening line; first bars
sing together; sing responsively
manner of singing; singing style; vocal delivery
put into song; express in verse · sing many times; practice a song repeatedly
Used specifically for composing or reciting poetry, especially waka or haiku.