ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kara

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈkɛɹə// kara

n. a traditional Japanese song, often performed with dance. You might hear this word in cultural contexts or when discussing Japanese music.

n. a traditional Japanese song, typically accompanied by dance and instrumental music. Borrowed from Japanese; used in English primarily in cultural or academic contexts.


SIMPLE

She sang a beautiful kara at the festival.

CONTEXTUAL

The cultural center hosted a performance featuring several traditional kara songs.

COMPLEX

The intricate melodies of the kara reflected centuries of poetic tradition and musical refinement.

Etymology 1

Variant of Cara.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Korean 加耶, from Middle Chinese 伽倻. The Middle Chinese pronunciation is thought to have been closer to /kaja/, but /kaɾa/ (Kara) is thought to have been the oldest pronunciation.

Etymology 3

Borrowed from Tamil கர (kara).

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