わらべうた

わらべうた
noun
children's folk song; nursery rhyme
culturemusic
1. children's folk song; nursery rhyme
Traditional songs passed down orally among children over generations. Often accompanied by games, hand clapping, or other physical play.
わらべうたを歌(うた)う。
To sing a children's folk song.
祖母(そぼ)がよくわらべうたを教(おし)えてくれた。
My grandmother often taught me nursery rhymes.
保育園(ほいくえん)では毎日(まいにち)わらべうたを使(つか)って子(こ)どもたちと遊(あそ)んでいる。
At the daycare, they use nursery rhymes to play with the children every day.

Composed of わらべ (童(わらべ), children) + うた (歌(うた), song). Refers to traditional folk songs for children that have been passed down through oral tradition. Many are accompanied by games like hand clapping, jump rope, or circle games.

Common collocations

EXAMPLES OF FAMOUS わらべうた:

  • かごめかごめ: Kagome Kagome (circle game song)
  • 通(とお)りゃんせ: Toryanse (passing-through game)
  • はないちもんめ: Hana Ichi Monme (team choosing game)

Similar words

  • 童謡(どうよう): children's song — composed songs for children, often with known authors, as opposed to traditional folk songs
  • 子守歌(こもりうた): lullaby — songs specifically for putting children to sleep
  • 唱歌(しょうか): school song — songs taught in the school music curriculum, often from the Meiji era onward

Related Words

Compare: 童謡(どうよう) (children's song)
Compare: 子守歌(こもりうた) (lullaby)
Compare: 唱歌(しょうか) (school song)
general
Added 2026.4.6 21:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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