(こうはくうたがっせん)

こうはくうたがっせん
noun
NHK New Year's Eve music special
1. NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen; annual New Year's Eve singing competition on NHK
Japan's most-watched annual TV broadcast, airing on NHK every New Year's Eve (December 31). Popular singers are divided into two teams — Red (female artists) and White (male artists) — who compete in performances judged by audience and panel. A cultural milestone since 1951.
紅白歌合戦(こうはくうたがっせん)家族(かぞく)()た。
We watched the Kōhaku with the family.
大晦日(おおみそか)(よる)はNHKの紅白歌合戦(こうはくうたがっせん)恒例(こうれい)だ。
Watching NHK's Kōhaku on New Year's Eve is a tradition.
紅白歌合戦(こうはくうたがっせん)出場(しゅつじょう)するのは、歌手(かしゅ)にとって名誉(めいよ)なことだと()われている。
It is said that appearing on the Kōhaku is an honor for singers.

The full name is NHK紅白歌合戦(こうはくうたがっせん); commonly called simply 紅白(こうはく) in conversation. First broadcast in 1951, it remains one of Japan's highest-rated television programs.

紅組(あかぐみ) (Red team) features female artists; 白組(しろぐみ) (White team) features male artists. Which team wins is decided by audience vote and an on-site panel.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 紅白(こうはく)()る: to watch the Kōhaku
  • 紅白(こうはく)出場(しゅつじょう)する: to appear on the Kōhaku
  • 紅組(あかぐみ)/白組(しろぐみ): Red team / White team