弾(ひ)く

ひく
godan verb
to play (instrument)
1. to play (stringed/keyboard instrument)
To produce music.
ピアノを弾(ひ)く。
To play the piano.
ギターを弾(ひ)いている。
I'm playing the guitar.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)からピアノを弾(ひ)いている。
I've been playing the piano since I was a child.

弾(ひ)く is used for playing stringed and keyboard instruments where keys or strings are pressed/plucked.

APPLIES TO:

  • ピアノ: piano
  • ギター: guitar
  • バイオリン: violin
  • 三味線(しゃみせん): shamisen

INSTRUMENT VERB DISTINCTIONS:

  • 弾(ひ)く: stringed/keyboard (piano, guitar)
  • 吹(ふ)く: wind instruments (flute, trumpet)
  • 叩(たた)く/打(う)つ: percussion (drums)
  • 演奏(えんそう)する: to perform (any instrument, formal)

NOTE:

Do not confuse with other verbs read as ひく:

  • 引(ひ)く: to pull
  • 惹(ひ)く: to attract
general
Added 2026.1.9 18:00 · Revised 2026.2.23 11:35
02000/02444_hiku