Translation guide
To play a stringed instrument by sweeping the fingers or a pick across the strings, often casually or rhythmically.
ギターを弾く
strum a guitar
To casually sweep the fingers or a pick across the strings of a guitar, ukulele, or similar instrument, often without a specific melody.
General verb for playing a stringed instrument. Can be used for strumming, but also for plucking or playing in general. Context makes it clear.
ギターを弾く
strum a guitar
彼はソファに座ってギターを弾いていた。
He was sitting on the sofa strumming his guitar.
To strum vigorously or roughly, often with energy. Implies a more forceful, rhythmic strumming.
ギターをかき鳴らす
strum a guitar loudly/energetically
Literally 'play with strokes'. Used in musical contexts to specify strumming as opposed to fingerpicking.
この曲はストロークで弾くといい。
This song sounds good when strummed.
To strum in a particular rhythmic pattern, often as part of learning or performing a song.
The loanword for 'strumming' as a technique or pattern. Often used in music lessons.
このストロークを練習してください。
Please practice this strumming pattern.
Way of playing. Can refer to strumming style when context is clear.
ギターの弾き方を教えて。
Teach me how to strum the guitar.
To strum lightly and without purpose, often while thinking or relaxing.
To pluck or strum with the fingers, often idly. Conveys a gentle, absentminded action.
彼はギターの弦を爪弾いていた。
He was idly strumming the guitar strings.
To play casually/randomly. Implies strumming without much thought.
適当にギターを弾いていたら、いい曲ができた。
I was just strumming the guitar randomly and came up with a nice tune.
The direct loanword ストラム is not commonly used in Japanese. Use 弾く or ストローク instead.