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There's 歌, 曲, 歌曲, 唄, etc. I was about to give a few example contexts, but in
English there really doesn't seem to be more than one way in which we refer to
a 'song'. I do see different words being used in different places but I can't
place exactly why they're used there.
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2015-09-29T23:20:28.667
28386
2019-07-20T14:23:52.537
9132
question
word-choice nuances synonyms
When do I use all the words meaning "song"?
歌{うた} - This word means "song", but it includes vocals. You wouldn't use it
for musical instruments. 歌う{うたう} means "sing", after all.

曲{きょく} - Melody, tune, etc. This one _is_ for instruments, like a song on the
piano.

歌曲{かきょく} - I imagine this is a general word for "song", but I don't have much
experience with it. I think it's relatively rare.

唄{うた} - I'm not very familiar with this either, but my dictionary lists it as
an alternate form of 歌.
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2015-09-30T00:34:14.103
28387
2015-09-30T00:34:14.103
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Regarding the difference between 歌 and 曲:

  * **An (entire) work of vocal music, A track (with vocal)** : Both 曲 or 歌 are used interchangeably, but the former is more common. 

> ビートルズの[曲/歌]が2つ入ったCD

  * **A work of music without vocal** (e.g. a piece of classical music): 曲 

> シューベルトの曲を演奏する

  * **Music (as opposed to lyrics/vocal), Melody** : 曲
  * **Song (as opposed to melody/lyrics), Vocal** : 歌 

> Xが歌詞を作り、Yが曲を作り、Zが歌を入れた。  
>  (≒the lyrics written by X, the music made by Y, and sung by Z)

And there are other words:

  * 楽曲: A work of music with or without vocal. Sounds a bit technical.
  * 歌曲: Technically it refers to Western classical songs including [Lied](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lied). Besides this, I think it's a _very rare_ synonym for "楽曲 with vocal".
  * 唄: Basically just an alternative kanji for 歌 as vocal music, which may look poetic, literary, or traditional.

And 歌 may also refer to
[_waka_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waka_\(poetry\)) and
[_haiku_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku).
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2015-09-30T09:54:15.523
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2015-10-01T02:37:58.807
2015-10-01T02:37:58.807
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answer