歌謡(かよう)

かよう
noun
song, ballad, popular song
musicculture
1. song, ballad, popular song
A general term for songs, especially popular songs or ballads. Often used to refer to Japanese popular music from the Showa era through the early Heisei era, as distinct from more modern J-pop.
昭和(しょうわ)の歌謡(かよう)が好(す)きだ。
I like Showa-era popular songs.
テレビの歌謡(かよう)番組(ばんぐみ)を毎週(まいしゅう)見(み)ている。
I watch the music variety show on TV every week.
祖母(そぼ)は若(わか)い頃(ころ)に流行(りゅうこう)した歌謡(かよう)をよく口(くち)ずさんでいる。
My grandmother often hums the popular songs that were in fashion when she was young.

Usage

歌謡(かよう) refers broadly to songs, but is particularly associated with Japanese popular music (kayōkyoku) from roughly the 1930s through the 1980s. The term carries a somewhat nostalgic nuance compared to modern terms like J-ポップ.

Common collocations

  • 歌謡(かよう)曲(きょく): popular song (kayōkyoku)
  • 歌謡(かよう)番組(ばんぐみ): music variety show
  • 歌謡(かよう)祭(まつり): song festival
  • 民謡(みんよう)と歌謡(かよう): folk songs and popular songs
general
Added 2026.2.24 15:39 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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