Translation guide
In music, monophony refers to a single melodic line without accompaniment. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese.
Describing music with only one melodic line, no harmony or accompaniment.
Standard musicological term for monophony or a single melodic line. Used in academic or technical contexts.
グレゴリオ聖歌は単旋律の音楽です。
Gregorian chant is monophonic music.
Contrasting monophony with polyphony or homophony in musical analysis.
Monophonic music. Used when categorizing musical textures.
単旋律音楽と多声音楽の違いを説明してください。
Please explain the difference between monophonic and polyphonic music.
In everyday conversation, Japanese speakers might simply describe monophonic music as '一人で歌う' (singing alone) or '伴奏なし' (without accompaniment) rather than using technical terms.
Loanword from English 'monophony'. Common in modern music theory discussions, but may sound technical.
この曲はモノフォニーの典型例です。
This piece is a typical example of monophony.
Literally 'single voice part'. Used in contrast to polyphony (多声部).
単声部の楽曲は和音がありません。
Monophonic pieces have no chords.
Abbreviated form of 単声部. Found in some musicology texts, but less common.
単声の聖歌は中世に発展しました。
Monophonic chant developed in the Middle Ages.
Loanword-based phrase for 'monophonic texture'. Used in contemporary music theory.
この部分はモノフォニックなテクスチャに戻ります。
This section returns to a monophonic texture.