humming; crooning
Refers to singing softly with closed lips, often unconsciously or while doing something else. Commonly used in the phrase 鼻歌を歌う (to hum a tune).
He was humming a tune while taking a shower.
When I'm in a good mood, I end up humming without thinking.
humming a tune while doing something
Standard kanji spelling. 鼻 (nose) + 歌 (song), suggesting a song hummed through the nose.
Variant using 唄, an older character for song. Rarely used in modern writing.
Compound of 鼻 (nose) and 歌 (song). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word naturally describes a song produced through the nose.