Translation guide
A traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument played with a plectrum.
Referring to the shamisen as a musical instrument.
The standard Japanese word for the shamisen. Used in all contexts.
彼女は三味線を弾くのが上手です。
She is good at playing the shamisen.
Talking about shamisen music or a performance.
Means 'shamisen performance' or 'shamisen music'. Natural when referring to the act of playing.
三味線の演奏を聴きに行きました。
I went to listen to a shamisen performance.
Specifically refers to shamisen music as a genre.
三味線音楽に興味があります。
I'm interested in shamisen music.
Referring to a person who plays the shamisen.
Formal term for a shamisen player or performer.
彼は有名な三味線奏者です。
He is a famous shamisen player.
More casual term for a shamisen player, literally 'shamisen plucker'.
あの三味線弾きはとても上手だ。
That shamisen player is very skilled.
The word is pronounced 'sha-mee-sen', not 'sha-my-sen'. The 'i' is long.