音楽

• Reading: おんがく
• Romaji: ongaku
• Kanji breakdown: 音 (on/oto) — sound, noise; 楽 (gaku/tano) — pleasure, enjoyment, music
• Pronunciation: /oɴ.ɡa.kɯ/

Meaning

Music. The art of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition.

A noun combining 音 (sound) and 楽 (pleasure, enjoyment). Refers to music both as an art form and as a school subject. Music education is part of the standard Japanese curriculum from elementary school. Japan has a vibrant music scene spanning traditional (雅楽, 演歌) and modern genres (J-pop, anime music).

Examples

1. 音楽を聞くのが好きです。 I like listening to music.
2. 音楽の授業でピアノを弾きました。 I played the piano in music class.
3. どんな音楽が好きですか。 What kind of music do you like?

Usage Guide

Context: school, hobbies, entertainment

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 音 (sound, noise) and 楽 (pleasure, music). From classical Chinese, where the pairing expressed the idea that pleasing sounds arranged harmoniously produce enjoyment.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal