子守歌(こもりうた)

子守歌(こもりうた) is a soothing song sung or played to help a child relax and fall asleep. The word can refer to both traditional folk lullabies and classical compositions such as Brahms' or Mozart's lullabies.

Etymology

A compound of 子守(こもり) (babysitting, childcare) + 歌(うた) (song).

Common collocations

• 子守歌(こもりうた)を歌(うた)う: to sing a lullaby
• 子守歌(こもりうた)を聞(き)かせる: to sing a lullaby to someone
• 子守歌(こもりうた)で寝(ね)かしつける: to put to sleep with a lullaby

Cultural note

Japan has many well-known traditional lullabies, such as 江戸(えど)子守歌(こもりうた) (Edo Lullaby) and 竹田(たけだ)の子守歌(こもりうた) (Takeda Lullaby). The word is also used figuratively for any gentle, sleep-inducing sound.

Related words

• 子守(こもり): babysitting; looking after children
• 童謡(どうよう): children's song, nursery rhyme