歌咏

• Pinyin: gē yǒng
• Hanzi breakdown: 歌 = 哥 + 欠 (singing); 咏 = 口 (mouth) + 永 (prolonged, eternal — sustained chanting)

Meaning

To sing; to chant; to express through sustained vocal performance. Often used in the context of choral or group singing.

A more literary and elevated term than 唱歌. Often appears in 歌咏比赛 (choral competition) or 歌咏队 (singing troupe). The word 咏 specifically implies a sustained, melodious delivery — reminiscent of the classical tradition of chanting poetry to music.

Examples

1. 工厂组建了一支歌咏队，每周定期排练，以丰富职工的业余文化生活。 The factory formed a choir that rehearses regularly each week to enrich employees’ after-work cultural life.
2. 古代士人常以歌咏诗词的方式抒发内心的情怀，寄托家国之思。 In ancient times, scholars often sang or chanted poetry to express their feelings and convey their thoughts about family and country.
3. 全市歌咏比赛汇聚了来自各区的合唱团，赛场上歌声嘹亮，气氛热烈。 The citywide choral competition brought together choirs from every district; the singing rang out across the venue and the atmosphere was lively.

Usage Guide

Context: arts, culture, competitions, classical

Tone: elevated

Do Say

• 学校将组织一年一度的歌咏比赛，欢迎全体同学积极报名参与。(The school will organise the annual choral competition — all students are welcome to sign up enthusiastically.)
• 这位诗人以歌咏山河的壮阔诗篇闻名于世，其作品至今仍广为传颂。(This poet is renowned for sweeping verses chanting the grandeur of rivers and mountains — his works remain widely recited to this day.)

Don't Say

• 我在歌咏一首流行歌曲 — 歌咏 is too formal/literary for pop music; use 唱 or 演唱 for casual or modern singing

Origin & History

歌 = 哥 + 欠 (song, singing); 咏 = 口 + 永 (to chant — oral, prolonged/sustained tone)

Cultural Context

Era: Classical to modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal