叙情

• Reading: じょじょう
• Romaji: jojou
• Kanji breakdown: 叙 (jo) — express, narrate; 情 (jō) — emotion, feeling
• Pronunciation: /dʑo.dʑo.ː/

Meaning

Lyricism; lyrical expression. The quality of conveying deep personal emotion or sensibility in literary or artistic form.

A noun describing the emotional, subjective quality found in lyric poetry and expressive prose. It contrasts with 叙事 (joji — narrative or epic expression). Used in literary criticism to describe works rich in emotional resonance and inner feeling. The related adjective 叙情的 (jojōteki) means 'lyrical' and frequently appears in reviews and analysis of poetry, music, and film.

Examples

1. この詩集には叙情があふれており、読むたびに胸が熱くなる。 This poetry collection overflows with lyricism, and every reading stirs something in my heart.
2. 彼の文章は叙情豊かで、情景が目に浮かぶようだ。 His writing is so lyrically rich that the scenes come alive before your eyes.
3. 映画の音楽が叙情的で、ラストシーンを引き立てていた。 The film's music was so lyrical that it elevated the final scene beautifully.

Usage Guide

Context: literary criticism, poetry, film analysis

Tone: aesthetic

Origin & History

From 叙 (jo — to express, to narrate) and 情 (jō — emotion, feeling). Together they describe the expression of inner feeling — a concept central to classical East Asian poetic theory, where lyrical poetry was considered the highest vehicle for emotional truth.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Educated adults

Social background: Academic