Translation and Meaning of: ピアノ - piano

The Japanese word 「ピアノ」 (piano) is an adaptation of the Italian word "piano," which means "soft" or "quiet." This connection to the Italian term dates back to the development of the instrument, the pianoforte, which revolutionized music by allowing dynamic variations between soft and loud sounds, depending on the force with which the keys were pressed. The earliest records of the use of the pianoforte date back to the early 18th century, and the word 「ピアノ」 began to be used in Japan from the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912), when Western influences started to enter Japanese culture.

The kanji that is often associated with the piano is 「楽器」 (gakki), which means "musical instrument." Thus, the complete expression for piano in Japanese would be 「ピアノ楽器」 (piano gakki). This instrument stands out for its versatility and is a common choice in music lessons, performances, and compositions. The popularity of the piano has led to its integration into various musical genres, including classical, jazz, pop, and even rock, expanding its use and relevance in global music culture.

Characteristics and Cultural Importance

The piano is known for its unique characteristics, which include:

• Key pressure: the dynamics of sound varies depending on the force applied.
• White and black keys: representing natural and sharp notes.
• The ability to play several chords simultaneously, allowing for a rich harmony.

In Japan, the piano is not just an instrument; it is a symbol of musical education. Many children start learning to play the piano in childhood, encouraging the development of musical skills early on. The tradition of playing the piano is also related to feelings of discipline and dedication, values that are highly valued in Japanese culture.

In addition to its academic use, the piano is a frequent element in various forms of entertainment, including movie songs and soundtracks. Its ability to adapt to different musical styles makes it a fundamental part of many contemporary compositions. Therefore, regarding the word 「ピアノ」 (piano), we can see that it is not just an instrument, but an essential part of musical and cultural expression that continues to evolve and resonate around the world.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 鍵盤楽器 (Kenban-gakki) - Keyboard instrument
• キーボード楽器 (Kībōdo-gakki) - Keyboard instrument (specifically, electronic keyboard)
• 音楽器 (Ongakki) - Musical instrument (general term)
• 音響楽器 (Onkyō-gakki) - Acoustic instrument
• 音響器具 (Onkyō-kigu) - Sound equipment (not necessarily a musical instrument)

ピアノ

Romaji: piano
Kana: ピアノ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: piano

Meaning in English: piano

Definition: A type of keyboard instrument.

Example Sentences - (ピアノ) piano

See below some example sentences:

ピアノを弾くのが好きです。

Piano wo hiku no ga suki desu

I like playing the piano.

• ピアノ (piano) - musical instrument
• を (partícula de objeto) - indicates the object of the action
• 弾く (hiku) - play (an instrument)
• のが (partícula nominal) - indicates that the sentence is nominalized
• 好き (suki) - To like
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

彼女はピアノを上手に弾く。

Kanojo wa piano wo jouzu ni hiku

She plays the piano very well.

She plays the piano well.

• 彼女 - she
• は - Topic particle
• ピアノ - piano
• を - direct object particle
• 上手に - skillfully
• 弾く - play (an instrument)

楽譜を見てピアノを弾くのが好きです。

Rakufu wo mite piano wo hiku no ga suki desu

I like to play piano looking at the score.

• 楽譜 - sheet music
• を - direct object particle
• 見て - To see
• ピアノ - piano
• を - direct object particle
• 弾く - play (instrument)
• のが - particle indicating that the previous sentence is the reason for the next one
• 好き - like
• です - be (linking verb)

私はピアノの演奏が好きです。

Watashi wa piano no ensō ga suki desu

I like playing the piano.

I like piano performances.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ピアノ (piano) - noun that means "piano"
• の (no) - possessive particle indicating that the preceding noun is the possessor of something
• 演奏 (ensou) - musical performance
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence