“To sing” in Japanese is 歌う (うたう), pronounced utau.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To sing. Karaoke (カラオケ) is a Japanese invention and a popular night out.
Example sentences
- カラオケで歌いましょう。カラオケでうたいましょう。Let’s sing karaoke.
- 歌うのが好きです。うたうのがすきです。I like singing.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 歌う. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 歌う うたう | sing |
| Polite present | 歌います うたいます | sing |
| Polite negative | 歌いません うたいません | don’t sing |
| Polite past | 歌いました うたいました | past of “sing” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 歌わない うたわない | don’t sing (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 歌った うたった | past of “sing” (casual) |
| て-form | 歌って うたって | sing and… / please sing (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 歌いたい うたいたい | want to sing |
Quick practice
Test yourself0/3
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to sing in Japanese?
To sing in Japanese is 歌う (うたう), pronounced “utau”.
How do you write to sing in Japanese?
It's written 歌う with kanji, or うたう in hiragana. Both are read utau.
Is 歌う on the JLPT?
Yes. 歌う (utau) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.