演歌
Meanings
1
enka; traditional Japanese popular ballad
A genre of sentimental Japanese popular music characterized by a distinctive vocal style and often melancholic themes.
My grandmother loves enka and often sings it at karaoke.
A famous enka singer performed a new song on the year-end music show.
2
Only when written 艶歌
Historical use referring to a troubadour or wandering minstrel, now largely obsolete and tied to the 艶歌 spelling.
The spelling 艶歌 was once used to refer to a troubadour.
Usage patterns
- 演歌を歌うto sing enka
My grandfather always sings enka at karaoke.
- 演歌を聴くto listen to enka
My mother likes listening to enka while driving.
- 演歌が流れるfor enka to play (in the background)
Enka was playing inside the izakaya.