歌曲(かきょく)

かきょく
noun
song (typically a classical art song or formally composed song with lyrics)
formalacademicmusicart
1. song (especially an art song, classical song, or formally composed vocal piece)
A composed song, often in a classical or formal context. 歌曲(かきょく) is the standard Japanese term for art songs (e.g., German Lied, French mélodie, English art song) and is also used in formal music criticism for any song that is the work of an identifiable composer. In ordinary conversation about pop or folk music, the everyday word 曲(きょく) or 歌(うた) is far more common; 歌曲(かきょく) carries a literary, classical-music feel.
有名(ゆうめい)な歌曲(かきょく)を歌(うた)う。
To sing a famous art song.
シューベルトの歌曲(かきょく)が好(す)きだ。
I love Schubert's songs.
演奏会(えんそうかい)では日本(にっぽん)の歌曲(かきょく)が多(おお)く披露(ひろう)された。
Many Japanese art songs were performed at the recital.
彼女(かのじょ)は近代(きんだい)日本(にっぽん)歌曲(かきょく)を専門(せんもん)に研究(けんきゅう)している音楽学者(おんがくがくしゃ)だ。
She is a musicologist specializing in modern Japanese art songs.

歌曲(かきょく) is the formal/literary word for a song, used most often for classical art songs and the formal study of vocal compositions.

Forms

Usage

  • Classical art-song repertoire (Schubert's Lieder, Fauré's mélodies, Yamada Kōsaku's songs, etc.)
  • Formal concert programs and music journalism
  • Music textbooks and academic discussion
  • Choir and vocal recital programs
  • Native speakers do not typically call a J-pop hit a 歌曲(かきょく). For pop, rock, and most contemporary popular music, use 曲(きょく), 歌(うた), or ソング.
  • In academic Japanese musicology, 歌曲(かきょく) is the precise term used to translate "art song" or "Lied," and you will see it on concert posters and CD liner notes for classical vocal recordings.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 曲(きょく): piece, tune, song — the everyday general word; "この曲(きょく)が好(す)きだ" is normal in pop-music conversation
  • 歌(うた): song — even more everyday; refers to any sung piece, including children's songs and pop songs
  • 楽曲(がっきょく): musical work, composition (with or without vocals); sounds formal/industry-flavored, used in record-company copy and copyright discussions
  • ソング: song (loanword) — common in pop-music titles and casual conversation
  • 民謡(みんよう): folk song — a traditional folk song; not normally called a 歌曲(かきょく)

Related Words

Compare: 楽曲(がっきょく) (musical work, composition)
Compare: 民謡(みんよう) (folk song)
Related: 歌手(かしゅ) (singer)
Compare: 唱歌(しょうか) (school song)
general
Added 2026.5.10 12:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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