わらべうた

わらべうた
noun
children's folk song; nursery rhyme
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(うた)う。
To sing a children's folk song.
祖母(そぼ)がよくわらべうたを(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()どもたちと(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 ((わらべ), children) + うた ((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:

  • わらべうたを(うた)う: to sing a nursery rhyme
  • わらべうた(あそ)び: nursery rhyme games
  • 日本(にほん)のわらべうた: Japanese children's folk songs
  • わらべうたを(つた)える: to pass down nursery rhymes

EXAMPLES OF FAMOUS わらべうた:

  • かごめかごめ: Kagome Kagome (circle game song)
  • (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