Translation guide
Ways to talk about a musical performance in Japanese, from concerts and recitals to playing an instrument or singing.
コンサートに行きました。
I went to a concert.
彼女は素晴らしい演奏をしました。
She gave a wonderful performance.
A public event where music is performed for an audience.
The most common word for a concert, especially for popular music, classical, or large-scale events.
来週、友達とコンサートに行きます。
I'm going to a concert with a friend next week.
Short for 'live performance'. Used for bands, pop, rock, and club gigs. Very common in casual speech.
昨日のライブは最高だった。
Yesterday's live show was amazing.
A recital or concert, often for classical music or school performances. More formal than コンサート.
ピアノの演奏会を開きます。
I will hold a piano recital.
A music concert, often used for school events or community gatherings. Slightly old-fashioned.
小学校の音楽会で歌います。
I will sing at the elementary school music concert.
The action of performing music on an instrument or singing.
General term for musical performance (playing an instrument). Can be used as a noun or combined with する to make a verb.
彼のピアノの演奏は素晴らしい。
His piano performance is wonderful.
バイオリンを演奏するのが好きです。
I like playing the violin.
Singing, vocal performance. More formal than 歌うこと. Used in contexts like competitions or formal recitals.
To play a stringed instrument or piano. Use this for guitar, violin, piano, etc.
ギターを弾けますか？
Can you play the guitar?
To play a wind instrument (flute, trumpet, etc.). Literally 'to blow'.
フルートを吹くのが上手ですね。
You're good at playing the flute.
To play percussion instruments (drums, etc.). Literally 'to hit'.
Referring to the quality or style of a specific performance.
A masterful or excellent performance. Often used in reviews of classical music or jazz.
これは歴史に残る名演だ。
This is a historic, masterful performance.
A passionate, energetic performance. Used for both music and acting.
コンサート is the general term for any concert. ライブ implies a live band or pop/rock event, often in smaller venues. 演奏会 is more formal and often used for classical recitals or school performances.
演奏する is a formal way to say 'perform music'. In casual conversation, it's more natural to use the specific verb for the instrument (弾く, 吹く, 叩く) or simply 歌う for singing.
演奏は2時間続きました。
The musical performance lasted two hours.
ライブを楽しんでいます。
I enjoy live performances.
We evaluate singing ability.
Playing the drums is fun.
彼女の熱演に感動した。
I was moved by her passionate performance.