1.
lullaby
A gentle song sung to help a child fall asleep.
子守歌を歌う。
To sing a lullaby.
母の子守歌を聞きながら眠りについた。
I fell asleep listening to my mother's lullaby.
ブラームスの子守歌は、世界中で親しまれている。
Brahms' lullaby is loved throughout the world.
子守歌 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.
WORD STRUCTURE:
A compound of 子守 (babysitting, childcare) + 歌 (song).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 子守歌を歌う: to sing a lullaby
- 子守歌を聞かせる: to sing a lullaby to someone
- 子守歌で寝かしつける: to put to sleep with a lullaby
CULTURAL NOTE:
Japan has many well-known traditional lullabies, such as 江戸子守歌 (Edo Lullaby) and 竹田の子守歌 (Takeda Lullaby). The word is also used figuratively for any gentle, sleep-inducing sound.
RELATED:
- 子守: babysitting; looking after children
- 童謡: children's song, nursery rhyme