音頭(おんど)

おんど
noun
leading a group activity; traditional folk song
leisure
See also: 温度(おんど) (temperature (homophone))
1. leading a group activity; taking the initiative
The act of leading or taking initiative in a group activity, often used in the expression 音頭(おんど)を取(と)る (to lead/take the initiative).
音頭(おんど)を取(と)る。
To take the lead; to spearhead.
彼(かれ)が音頭(おんど)を取(と)って始(はじ)めた。
He took the lead and started it.
部長(ぶちょう)の音頭(おんど)で乾杯(かんぱい)した。
We drank a toast, led by the department head.
2. traditional folk song or dance
A type of traditional Japanese folk song with a call-and-response format, often accompanied by dance.
盆踊(ぼんおど)りで音頭(おんど)を歌(うた)う。
To sing a traditional song at the Bon dance festival.
夏祭(なつまつ)りで東京(とうきょう)音頭(おんど)に合(あ)わせて踊(おど)った。
At the summer festival we danced to Tokyo Ondo.
この町(まち)の音頭(おんど)は、毎年(まいとし)盆踊(ぼんおど)りで必(かなら)ず流(なが)れる。
This town's own ondo is always played at the Bon dance every year.

音頭(おんど) has two main meanings: leading a group activity and a traditional folk song.

Common expressions

Types

  • 東京音頭(とうきょうおんど): Tokyo Ondo (famous festival song)
  • 河内音頭(かわちおんど): Kawachi Ondo (Osaka)

Watch out

Do not confuse with 温度(おんど) (temperature), which has the same reading.

general
Added 2026.2.3 20:36 · Revised 2026.10.13 22:51
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