押韻

• Reading: おういん
• Romaji: ōin
• Kanji breakdown: 押 (ō) — to press, to apply | 韻 (in) — rhyme, sound
• Pronunciation: /oː.iɴ/

Meaning

Rhyming; rhyme. The practice of ending lines of verse with words that share similar sounds.

A noun and suru-verb (押韻する) for the deliberate use of end-rhyme in poetry. Classical Chinese poetry (漢詩) that Japanese poets studied had strict 押韻 rules governing which tones could appear at line endings. In Japanese waka, sound repetition played a different structural role; however, with the influence of modern rap and spoken-word poetry, 押韻 has gained renewed prominence in popular culture. Closely related to 韻を踏む (the idiomatic expression for rhyming).

Examples

1. その詩は巧みな押韻によってリズムが整えられ、読者を引き込む力を持つ。 The poem is given structure through skilful rhyming and has the power to draw readers in.
2. 押韻は英語詩では一般的な技法だが、日本語の詩では比較的珍しい。 Rhyme is a common technique in English poetry but comparatively rare in Japanese verse.
3. ラップ詩における押韻の技術は、現代の詩的表現として高く評価されている。 The art of rhyming in rap poetry is highly regarded as a form of contemporary poetic expression.

Usage Guide

Context: poetry, linguistics, rap, classical Chinese literature, literary analysis

Tone: academic

Origin & History

Compound of 押 (ō) meaning 'to press, to apply' and 韻 (in) meaning 'rhyme, sound'. The image is of 'pressing' — that is, following — the prescribed rhyme sound at the end of a verse line, in accordance with classical Chinese poetic rules.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated