World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesFolk song
/ˈfoʊk ˌsɔŋ/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A song that originates in traditional culture or is written in such a style, typically characterized by an oral tradition and unknown authorship.
"The choir performed a traditional folk song that has been sung in the region for centuries." - 2
A modern song composed in the traditional style, often dealing with social or political themes.
"During the 1960s protest movement, the young musician wrote a powerful folk song about peace."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The term combines 'folk', derived from Old English 'folc' meaning people or nation, with 'song', from Old English 'sang', denoting vocal music. It emerged in the 19th century alongside the Romantic nationalist movement to describe traditional music originating among the common people of a region.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Folk song"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Folk song" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
chanson folklorique
Transliteration: shɑ̃sɔ̃ fɔlklorik
"Elle aime chanter une vieille chanson folklorique française."
Volkslied
Transliteration: fɔlksliːt
"Das alte Volkslied erzählt von Arbeitern im Bergwerk."
canto popolare
Transliteration: kanto popolare
"Il coro ha cantato un antico canto popolare."
canción folclórica
Transliteration: kansjon folklorika
"Escucharon una hermosa canción folclórica durante la fiesta."
canção folclórica
Transliteration: kɐ̃sɐ̃w fowklɔɾikɐ
"O artista cantou uma canção folclórica tradicional."
लोक गीत
Transliteration: lok geet
"गाaon के लोगों ने एक पारंपरिक लोक गीत गाया।"
民歌
Transliteration: míngē
"这首民歌流传了很久。"
민속노래
Transliteration: minsok norae
"그들은 아름다운 민속노래를 불렀다."
民謡
Transliteration: minyō
"祖母は昔ながらの民謡を教えてくれた。"
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