マイク

• Reading: マイク
• Romaji: maiku
• Pronunciation: /ma.i.kɯ/

Meaning

Microphone; a device used to amplify or record sound.

A loanword shortened from English 'microphone.' Very commonly used in daily life. Key phrases: マイクを持つ (maiku wo motsu, to hold a mic), ワイヤレスマイク (waiyaresu-maiku, wireless mic). Essential vocabulary for karaoke culture, presentations, and events in Japan.

Examples

1. カラオケでマイクを握って楽しく歌った。 I grabbed the mic and had a blast singing at karaoke.
2. 司会者がマイクを通して挨拶をした。 The emcee greeted the audience through the microphone.
3. マイクの音量をもう少し上げてください。 Please turn up the microphone volume a little more.

Usage Guide

Context: karaoke, events, presentations

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Shortened from English 'microphone' (マイクロフォン, maikurofon). The abbreviation マイク became the standard word in everyday Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal