歌

• Pinyin: gē
• Hanzi breakdown: 歌 = 哥 (phonetic, elder brother) + 欠 (open mouth) — singing with an open mouth

Meaning

Song; to sing. A general word for songs and singing.

Most commonly used in the compound 唱歌 (to sing). As a standalone noun, it means 'song' but is more often seen in compounds like 歌曲 (song, formal) or 歌手 (singer). In everyday speech, 唱歌 is far more common than using 歌 alone.

Examples

1. 她很喜欢唱歌。 She really likes singing.
2. 这首歌很好听。 This song sounds great.
3. 我想学一首中国歌。 I want to learn a Chinese song.

Usage Guide

Context: music, entertainment, everyday

Tone: conversational

Do Say

• 我们一起唱歌吧！(Let's sing together!)
• 你最喜欢什么歌？(What's your favourite song?)

Don't Say

• 我歌了。(Cannot use 歌 alone as a verb for 'I sang' — say 我唱歌了)

Origin & History

An ancient character. The right component 欠 (to yawn/open mouth) suggests vocal expression. One of the oldest words for musical expression in Chinese.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal