哀歌

• 読み: あいか
• ローマ字: aika
• 漢字の分解: 哀 (ai) — sorrow, grief | 歌 (ka) — song, poem
• 発音: /a.i.ka/

意味

Elegy; lament; dirge; threnody. A mournful song or poem composed in memory of the dead or in expression of grief.

A noun referring to any literary or musical work suffused with lamentation. In classical Japanese poetry, 哀歌 can denote elegies within the Man'yōshū tradition. In modern usage, it extends to any deeply sorrowful song or poem, including Western-influenced art songs and requiems. The word carries a tone of dignified mourning rather than raw emotional outpouring.

例文

1. 戦争で逝った人々を偲ぶ哀歌が、礼拝堂に静かに流れた。
2. 彼女の詩集の最後に収められた哀歌は、読む者の胸を打った。
3. 古代ギリシアでは、哀歌は戦死者への追悼として詠まれた。

使い方ガイド

場面: literary criticism, poetry, music, memorial services

トーン: solemn

起源と歴史

Compound of 哀 (ai) meaning 'sorrow, grief, pity' and 歌 (ka/uta) meaning 'song, poem'. The character 哀 combines 口 (mouth) within 衣 (clothing), suggesting a cry muffled beneath garments — a poignant image of suppressed grief.

文化的背景

時代: Classical–Modern

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Educated