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A2 noun #1,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

アルバム

Top 1,500

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to basic vocabulary related to daily life, hobbies, and personal interests. The word アルバム (arubamu) is highly accessible for beginners because it is a katakana loanword that sounds very similar to its English equivalent, 'album'. At this stage, the primary focus is on recognizing the word and associating it with its two main meanings: a music album and a photo album. Learners will encounter this word in simple sentences, often paired with basic verbs like 聞く (kiku - to listen) and 見る (miru - to see/look at). For example, a beginner might learn to say 'アルバムを聞きます' (I listen to an album) or 'アルバムを見ます' (I look at an album). The grammar structures used with this word at the A1 level are very straightforward, typically involving the object particle を (o) to indicate that the album is the direct object of the action. Additionally, learners might use basic adjectives to describe the album, such as 新しい (atarashii - new) or 古い (furui - old), resulting in phrases like '新しいアルバム' (a new album). Understanding this word allows beginners to talk simply about their music preferences or share basic information about their family photos, which are common topics in introductory language classes. The katakana spelling is also a good practice for reading basic loanwords. Overall, mastering アルバム at the A1 level provides a useful tool for basic self-expression regarding media and memories.

At the A2 level, learners expand their ability to use the word アルバム (arubamu) in more varied and practical contexts. While A1 focused on simple recognition and basic verb pairings, A2 learners begin to use the word to describe past experiences, future plans, and preferences in more detail. For instance, instead of just saying 'I listen to an album', an A2 learner can say '昨日、好きな歌手の新しいアルバムを買いました' (Yesterday, I bought a new album by my favorite singer). This involves using past tense verbs and connecting nouns with the particle の (no). In the context of photography, A2 learners might discuss organizing photos or looking back at memories, using phrases like '家族のアルバムを見ました' (I looked at the family album). The vocabulary surrounding the word also expands. Learners might encounter terms like '卒業アルバム' (sotsugyou arubamu - graduation album), which is a significant cultural concept in Japan. Furthermore, A2 learners start to use the word in digital contexts, such as referring to a photo album on a smartphone: 'スマホのアルバム' (sumaho no arubamu). They can also express opinions about an album using a wider range of adjectives, such as いい (good), 面白い (interesting), or 素晴らしい (wonderful). The ability to use アルバム in conjunction with expressions of desire, like 'このアルバムが欲しいです' (I want this album), or invitations, like '一緒にアルバムを見ませんか' (Would you like to look at the album together?), marks a significant step forward in conversational competence at this level.

At the B1 level, learners are expected to handle a wider range of topics and express themselves with greater nuance. The use of アルバム (arubamu) reflects this progression. Learners can now engage in more detailed conversations about music and photography. In the music context, B1 learners can distinguish between different types of releases, using terms like 'フルアルバム' (full album), 'ミニアルバム' (mini album), or 'ベストアルバム' (best/greatest hits album). They can discuss the release dates, chart rankings, and their personal reviews of the music. For example, they might say, 'このバンドのサードアルバムは、前のアルバムよりもロックの要素が強いです' (This band's third album has stronger rock elements than their previous album). This demonstrates the ability to make comparisons and express more complex opinions. In the context of photos, B1 learners can talk about the process of creating or organizing albums, perhaps discussing digital photo management or the sentimental value of physical albums. They might use sentences like '旅行の写真を整理して、デジタルのアルバムを作成しました' (I organized the travel photos and created a digital album). The grammar used with the word becomes more advanced, incorporating relative clauses to describe the album in detail: '私が一番好きなアルバム' (the album that I like the most). At this level, learners also become more comfortable with the cultural implications of the word, understanding the nostalgia associated with a '卒業アルバム' (graduation album) and being able to discuss school memories related to it.

At the B2 level, learners achieve a high degree of fluency and can use the word アルバム (arubamu) in complex, abstract, and professional contexts. The discussions surrounding music albums become much more analytical. A B2 learner can articulate detailed critiques of an album's production, lyrical themes, and its place within an artist's overall discography. They might use vocabulary related to the music industry, such as '売上' (sales), 'チャート' (charts), 'プロモーション' (promotion), and 'レコーディング' (recording). For example, a B2 sentence might be: 'そのアーティストの最新アルバムは、社会問題に対する鋭いメッセージ性が評価され、ミリオンセラーを記録した' (That artist's latest album was praised for its sharp messaging on social issues and recorded million-seller status). In the realm of photography and memories, B2 learners can discuss the psychological or sociological aspects of keeping albums. They might debate the merits of physical versus digital albums, using sophisticated vocabulary to express concepts like '劣化' (deterioration of physical photos) or 'データ消失' (data loss). They can also use the word metaphorically or in literary contexts, such as referring to a collection of memories as an '心のアルバム' (album of the heart/mind). The grammatical structures are complex, utilizing advanced conjunctions, passive voice, and causative-passive forms. B2 learners are fully capable of understanding native-level media, such as music reviews, interviews with artists, and documentaries, where the word アルバム is used extensively and with varied nuances.

At the C1 level, the learner's command of the Japanese language is highly advanced, approaching native-like proficiency. The use of the word アルバム (arubamu) at this stage is characterized by effortless integration into highly specialized, academic, or professional discourse. In the context of music criticism or industry analysis, a C1 learner can discuss the evolution of the 'album format' in the streaming era, analyzing how consumption habits have shifted from listening to full albums to individual tracks on playlists. They can articulate complex arguments about the artistic integrity of a concept album versus a commercially driven compilation. For instance: 'サブスクリプションサービスの普及により、アルバムという一つの作品としての概念が希薄化しつつある現代において、彼らのコンセプチュアルなアプローチは特筆に値する' (In an era where the concept of an album as a single piece of work is becoming diluted due to the spread of subscription services, their conceptual approach is worthy of special mention). Regarding photography, C1 learners can engage in discussions about archiving, historical preservation, or the artistic curation of photo albums. They can read and comprehend dense literature, historical texts, or technical manuals where the word might appear. The vocabulary used in conjunction with アルバム is sophisticated and precise, employing rare kanji compounds and idiomatic expressions. At this level, the learner not only understands the word perfectly but can also manipulate its usage to suit any register, from casual slang among hardcore music fans to formal, academic presentations.

At the C2 level, learners possess a mastery of Japanese that allows them to use the word アルバム (arubamu) with the same depth, nuance, and cultural resonance as a highly educated native speaker. They can engage in philosophical or deeply artistic discussions where the concept of an 'album' transcends its literal meaning of a physical or digital collection. A C2 user might analyze the socio-cultural impact of specific landmark albums in Japanese music history, discussing how they reflected or shaped the zeitgeist of a particular era (e.g., the City Pop boom or the visual kei movement). They can effortlessly navigate the highly specific jargon of audiophiles, record collectors, or professional archivists. In literary contexts, they can appreciate and produce evocative prose where an album serves as a powerful motif for memory, loss, or the passage of time. For example: '色褪せたセピア色のアルバムの余白には、語られざる家族の歴史が沈黙のままに雄弁に刻み込まれていた' (In the margins of the faded, sepia-toned album, the untold history of the family was eloquently etched in silence). The C2 learner understands every subtle connotation, regional variation, and historical shift in the word's usage. They can seamlessly switch between discussing the technical specifications of a high-resolution digital audio album and the emotional weight of a century-old family photo album, using impeccable grammar, extensive vocabulary, and profound cultural insight. Their use of the word is not just correct; it is expressive, precise, and culturally profound.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

アルバム en 30 secondes

A collection of music tracks.
A book for keeping photographs.
A digital folder for images.
A katakana loanword from English.

The Japanese word アルバム (arubamu) is a direct loanword from the English word 'album'. In contemporary Japanese, it carries two primary meanings, both of which are identical to its English counterpart. First and foremost, especially in the context of media and entertainment, it refers to a collection of musical recordings issued as a single item on CD, record, or digital format. Secondly, it refers to a blank book for the insertion of photographs, stamps, or pictures. Understanding the dual nature of this word is crucial for learners of Japanese, as the context will almost always dictate which meaning is intended. When discussing music, you will frequently hear phrases like '新しいアルバム' (atarashii arubamu - new album) or 'デビューアルバム' (debyuu arubamu - debut album). In the context of photography, terms like '写真アルバム' (shashin arubamu - photo album) or '卒業アルバム' (sotsugyou arubamu - graduation album) are ubiquitous. The word is deeply embedded in everyday Japanese conversation, reflecting the country's massive music industry and its cultural emphasis on preserving memories through photography.

Musical Context: Refers to a full-length music release, typically containing multiple tracks, as opposed to a 'single' (シングル).

好きなバンドの新しいアルバムを買いました。

The Japanese music market is the second largest in the world, making the term アルバム incredibly common in media, advertising, and daily chat. Fans eagerly await the release of a 'フルアルバム' (furu arubamu - full album) or a 'ミニアルバム' (mini arubamu - mini album/EP). The distinction between these formats is taken quite seriously in the Japanese music charting system, such as Oricon. Furthermore, the concept of a 'ベストアルバム' (besuto arubamu - greatest hits album) is a massive commercial driver in Japan, often released to commemorate a band's anniversary.

Photographic Context: Refers to a physical or digital collection of photographs, often organized by event, date, or theme.

家族のアルバムを見て、昔を懐かしんだ。

In schools, the '卒業アルバム' (sotsugyou arubamu) is a significant cultural artifact. It is a large, meticulously crafted yearbook that students receive upon graduation, filled with class photos, club activities, and personal messages. This specific type of album holds immense sentimental value in Japanese society.

Digital Context: In the modern era, it also refers to digital folders on smartphones or computers where images or songs are stored.

スマホのアルバムがいっぱいになった。

あの歌手のファーストアルバムは名盤だ。

結婚式のアルバムを作成する。

Overall, アルバム is a versatile, high-frequency noun that bridges the gap between traditional physical media and modern digital consumption, making it an essential vocabulary word for any Japanese learner aiming for fluency.

Using the word アルバム (arubamu) in Japanese is straightforward because it functions exactly like a standard noun. It does not conjugate, and it connects to other words using standard Japanese particles. To master its usage, you must become comfortable with the verbs and adjectives that frequently collocate with it. When talking about music, the most common verbs are 聞く (kiku - to listen), 買う (kau - to buy), 発売する (hatsubai suru - to release/sell), and 出す (dasu - to put out/release). For example, if you want to say 'I listened to the new album', you would say '新しいアルバムを聞きました' (Atarashii arubamu o kikimashita).

Using with Verbs: Always use the object particle 'を' (o) when an album is the direct object of an action like buying, listening, or viewing.

毎日そのアルバムを聞いています。

When discussing photo albums, the verbs change slightly. You will commonly use 見る (miru - to look at/watch), 作る (tsukuru - to make), or 整理する (seiri suru - to organize). For instance, 'I looked at my childhood photo album' translates to '子供の頃のアルバムを見ました' (Kodomo no koro no arubamu o mimashita).

Using with Adjectives: Adjectives like 新しい (new), 古い (old), 素晴らしい (wonderful), and 懐かしい (nostalgic) are frequently attached to アルバム.

これは本当に素晴らしいアルバムですね。

It is also very common to use compound nouns or noun-modifying phrases with the particle 'の' (no). For example, '写真のアルバム' (shashin no arubamu - photo album), 'バンドのアルバム' (bando no arubamu - the band's album), or '思い出のアルバム' (omoide no arubamu - album of memories).

Compound Words: アルバム is often combined directly with other nouns without 'の', such as 卒業アルバム (graduation album) or 記念アルバム (commemorative album).

来月、彼らのサードアルバムが発売される。

友達と一緒にアルバムをめくった。

デジタルアルバムを共有する。

Understanding these structural patterns will allow you to use アルバム naturally in both casual conversations with friends about your favorite music and more formal discussions about photography or digital media management.

The word アルバム (arubamu) is ubiquitous in Japanese society, permeating various aspects of daily life, media, and commerce. You will hear it most frequently in the context of the music industry. Japan has a massive domestic music market, and the release of a new album by a popular artist is a major cultural event. Television commercials, radio broadcasts, and music store displays are filled with the word.

Music Stores and Media: In stores like Tower Records or Tsutaya, you will see signs for 'ニューアルバム' (New Album) everywhere.

タワーレコードで新しいアルバムを予約した。

Beyond music, you will encounter the word in educational and familial settings. The '卒業アルバム' (sotsugyou arubamu - graduation album) is a deeply ingrained tradition in Japanese schools, from elementary school through university. Towards the end of the school year, students and teachers spend considerable time discussing and preparing this album.

School Life: The graduation album is a key milestone, often simply referred to as '卒アル' (sotsuaru) by students.

実家に帰って、高校の卒業アルバムを開いた。

In the digital realm, the word is used exactly as it is in English. Smartphone interfaces, social media platforms, and cloud storage services all use the term アルバム to denote a collection of photos or videos.

Digital Interfaces: When organizing photos on a phone, you create a new 'アルバム'.

旅行の写真をLINEのアルバムに保存した。

このアプリで簡単に写真アルバムが作れます。

ラジオで彼らのニューアルバムの曲が流れた。

Whether you are browsing a record store in Shibuya, reminiscing with a host family over old photos, or sharing digital memories with friends on LINE, the word アルバム is an inescapable and vital part of the Japanese vocabulary landscape.

While アルバム (arubamu) is a relatively simple loanword, learners of Japanese can still make a few common mistakes regarding its pronunciation, usage, and contextual nuances. The most frequent error stems from pronunciation. Because it is an English loanword, English speakers often try to pronounce it with an English 'L' sound and English vowel sounds. However, in Japanese katakana, it must be pronounced with the Japanese 'r' sound (a flap consonant somewhere between an l, r, and d) and flat, distinct vowel sounds: a-ru-ba-mu.

Pronunciation Error: Saying 'al-bum' instead of the flat, mora-timed 'a-ru-ba-mu'.

正しい発音は「ア・ル・バ・ム」です。

Another common mistake is confusing the word with 'シングル' (shinguru - single) when discussing music. In English, people sometimes casually refer to any music release as an album, but in Japan, the distinction between a single (usually 1-3 songs) and an album (a full-length release) is strictly maintained by fans and the industry.

Format Confusion: Calling a single song release an 'album'.

それはアルバムではなく、シングルです。

Learners also sometimes struggle with the correct verbs to pair with the word. For example, saying 'アルバムをする' (arubamu o suru - to do an album) is incorrect unless you are in a very specific context of producing one, and even then, 'アルバムを制作する' (arubamu o seisaku suru) or 'アルバムを作る' (arubamu o tsukuru) is much more natural.

Verb Collocation: Using incorrect verbs like 'suru' instead of 'kiku' (listen), 'miru' (look), or 'kau' (buy).

昨日、そのアルバムを聞きました。

卒業アルバムをなくしてしまった。

スマホのアルバムを整理するのを忘れた。

By paying attention to pronunciation, distinguishing between music formats, and using the correct accompanying verbs, learners can easily avoid these common pitfalls and use アルバム with native-like fluency.

When learning the word アルバム (arubamu), it is helpful to understand related vocabulary that might be used in similar contexts. In the realm of music, the most closely related words are those that describe other formats of musical release.

シングル (Shinguru): A single. This refers to a release containing only one or a few tracks, usually meant to promote an upcoming full album.

新しいシングルがヒットして、次のアルバムへの期待が高まった。

Another related term in music is レコード (rekoodo - record). While an album can be a record, 'レコード' specifically refers to the physical vinyl format, which has seen a massive resurgence in Japan.

レコード (Rekoodo): A vinyl record. Often used interchangeably with album when referring to vintage music, but specifies the medium.

中古レコード屋で古いジャズのアルバムを探す。

In the context of photography, a related word is 写真集 (shashinshuu - photo book). While a 写真アルバム is usually a personal collection of photos put together by an individual, a 写真集 is a commercially published book of photographs, typically featuring a celebrity, idol, or professional photography.

写真集 (Shashinshuu): A published photo book, unlike a personal photo album.

好きなアイドルの写真集と、自分の卒業アルバムを本棚に並べる。

プレイリストを作成して、アルバムのように聞く。

EPはフルアルバムより短い。

By distinguishing アルバム from terms like シングル, レコード, and 写真集, you can express yourself much more precisely in Japanese, whether you are discussing your favorite band's discography or sharing memories from a recent vacation.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

これは私のアルバムです。

This is my album.

Basic AはBです structure.

新しいアルバムを買いました。

I bought a new album.

Object particle を with verb 買う (to buy).

毎日アルバムを聞きます。

I listen to the album every day.

Frequency adverb 毎日 with verb 聞く (to listen).

アルバムを見ますか？

Will you look at the album?

Question particle か.

古いアルバムです。

It is an old album.

Adjective 古い modifying a noun.

そのアルバムが好きです。

I like that album.

Particle が with 好き (like).

アルバムはどこですか？

Where is the album?

Question word どこ (where).

いいアルバムですね。

It's a good album, isn't it?

Sentence-ending particle ね for agreement.

昨日、好きなバンドのアルバムを聞きました。

Yesterday, I listened to my favorite band's album.

Past tense verb 聞きました.

子供の時のアルバムを見ました。

I looked at the album from when I was a child.

Noun modifying noun with の (子供の時).

スマホのアルバムに写真がたくさんあります。

There are many photos in my smartphone's album.

Location particle に with あります (there is/are).

このアルバムはとても面白いです。

This album is very interesting.

Degree adverb とても with adjective.

友達と一緒に卒業アルバムを見ました。

I looked at the graduation album together with my friend.

一緒に (together with).

次のアルバムが楽しみです。

I am looking forward to the next album.

楽しみです (looking forward to).

アルバムを作るのは楽しいです。

Making an album is fun.

Nominalizer の to make a verb phrase a subject.

あの店で古いレコードのアルバムを売っています。

They are selling old record albums at that store.

Te-iru form 売っています for ongoing state/action.

彼のデビューアルバムは、世界中で大ヒットしました。

His debut album was a huge hit all over the world.

Compound noun デビューアルバム and location で.

旅行の写真を整理して、デジタルのアルバムを作成した。

I organized my travel photos and created a digital album.

Te-form 整理して to connect sequential actions.

このベストアルバムには、有名な曲がすべて入っています。

This best-of album contains all the famous songs.

Intransitive verb 入っている indicating state.

学生時代のアルバムを開くと、懐かしい気持ちになります。

When I open my album from my student days, I feel nostalgic.

Conditional と (when/if) followed by a change in state になる.

来月発売される新しいアルバムを予約しておきました。

I reserved the new album that will be released next month in advance.

Passive verb 発売される modifying a noun, and ~ておく for preparation.

彼女は毎年、家族の成長を記録したアルバムを作っている。

Every year, she makes an album that records the family's growth.

Relative clause 家族の成長を記録した modifying アルバム.

最近はCDを買わずに、配信でアルバムを聞く人が多い。

Recently, many people listen to albums via streaming without buying CDs.

Negative te-form ~ずに (without doing).

そのアルバムのジャケットのデザインがとても素晴らしいと思う。

I think the jacket design of that album is absolutely wonderful.

Expressing opinion with ~と思う.

そのアーティストの最新アルバムは、社会問題に対する鋭いメッセージ性が評価された。

The artist's latest album was praised for its sharp messaging regarding social issues.

Passive voice 評価された and complex noun phrase に対する.

クラウド上のアルバムを家族と共有設定にしておけば、いつでも写真を見せ合うことができる。

If you set the cloud album to be shared with your family, you can show each other photos anytime.

Conditional ~ば and reciprocal verb suffix ~合う.

あのバンドのセカンドアルバムは、彼らの音楽性が確立された名盤として語り継がれている。

That band's second album has been handed down in discussions as a masterpiece where their musicality was established.

Passive te-iru form 語り継がれている and として (as).

祖母の遺品を整理していたら、戦前の貴重な写真が収められたアルバムが見つかった。

While I was organizing my grandmother's belongings, I found an album containing precious pre-war photographs.

Conditional ~たら for unexpected discovery and passive modifying clause.

サブスクリプションの普及により、アルバム単位ではなく単曲で音楽を消費する傾向が強まっている。

Due to the spread of subscriptions, the tendency to consume music by single tracks rather than by the album unit is strengthening.

Formal cause/reason により and ではなく (rather than).

このコンセプトアルバムは、最初から最後まで通して聴くことで初めてその真価が理解できる。

The true value of this concept album can only be understood by listening to it all the way through from beginning to end.

~て初めて (not until / only after doing).

結婚式の写真をプロのカメラマンに頼んで、豪華な装丁のアルバムに仕上げてもらった。

We asked a professional photographer to take our wedding photos and had them finished into a luxuriously bound album.

Causative-receptive ~てもらう indicating a service received.

彼のソロアルバムは、バンド時代とは全く異なるアコースティックなサウンドが特徴だ。

His solo album is characterized by an acoustic sound that is completely different from his band days.

Noun + が特徴だ (is characterized by).

音楽業界の構造変化に伴い、フルアルバムの制作を敬遠し、デジタルシングルを頻発するアーティストが増加している。

Along with structural changes in the music industry, an increasing number of artists are shying away from producing full albums and frequently releasing digital singles.

Formal grammar に伴い (along with) and advanced vocabulary 敬遠する.

色褪せたセピア色のアルバムの余白には、語られざる家族の歴史が沈黙のままに雄弁に刻み込まれていた。

In the margins of the faded, sepia-toned album, the untold history of the family was eloquently etched in silence.

Literary expressions 語られざる (untold) and 沈黙のままに (in silence).

当該アルバムは、当時の最先端のシンセサイザーを駆使して制作されており、エレクトロニックミュージックの金字塔と評されている。

The album in question was produced making full use of the most advanced synthesizers of the time, and is praised as a monumental achievement in electronic music.

Formal vocabulary 当該 (the said/in question) and 金字塔 (monumental achievement).

スマートフォンのAI機能により、膨大な画像データから特定の人物や被写体を自動的に抽出し、テーマ別のアルバムを瞬時に生成することが可能となった。

Thanks to smartphone AI functions, it has become possible to automatically extract specific people or subjects from vast amounts of image data and instantly generate themed albums.

Advanced technical vocabulary 抽出する (extract) and 生成する (generate).

彼の遺作となったそのアルバムには、死の淵に立たされた人間の根源的な恐怖と、それを受容する過程の静謐さが同居している。

In that album, which became his posthumous work, the fundamental fear of a human standing on the brink of death and the tranquility of the process of accepting it coexist.

Deeply philosophical vocabulary 遺作 (posthumous work) and 静謐さ (tranquility).

レコード会社の意向に反して、彼らは商業的な妥協を一切排した、極めて実験的な二枚組のアルバムを世に問うた。

Contrary to the record company's intentions, they presented to the world a highly experimental double album that eliminated all commercial compromise.

Formal expression 世に問う (to present to the world / to publish) and 意向に反して (contrary to intentions).

歴史的資料としての価値を持つその写真アルバムは、適切な温湿度管理の下、博物館の収蔵庫に厳重に保管されている。

That photo album, which holds value as a historical document, is strictly stored in the museum's repository under appropriate temperature and humidity control.

Academic/professional vocabulary 収蔵庫 (repository) and 管理の下 (under the management of).

プレイリスト文化の隆盛は、アルバムというフォーマットが持つ「曲順の妙」や「トータルコンセプト」の意義を再考させる契機となった。

The rise of playlist culture has provided an opportunity to reconsider the significance of the 'brilliance of track order' and 'total concept' that the album format possesses.

Advanced abstract nouns 隆盛 (rise/prosperity) and 契機 (opportunity/trigger).

そのアルバムは単なる楽曲の羅列ではなく、一つの壮大な叙事詩として構築されており、聴く者を圧倒的な音響空間へと誘う。

That album is not merely an enumeration of musical pieces, but is constructed as a single grand epic, inviting the listener into an overwhelming acoustic space.

Literary and highly descriptive vocabulary 羅列 (enumeration) and 叙事詩 (epic).

デジタルアーカイブ化の波に抗うかのように、彼はアナログフィルムで撮影した写真を和紙に焼き付け、手製本のアルバムとして結実させた。

As if resisting the wave of digital archiving, he printed photographs taken on analog film onto Japanese washi paper, bringing them to fruition as a hand-bound album.

Advanced expressions 抗うかのように (as if resisting) and 結実させる (to bring to fruition).

初期の荒削りな衝動から円熟期への変遷を辿る上で、この中期のアルバムはミッシングリンクを埋める極めて重要なテキストとして機能している。

In tracing the transition from early rough impulses to the period of maturity, this mid-career album functions as an extremely important text that fills the missing link.

Analytical vocabulary 変遷を辿る (trace the transition) and 円熟期 (period of maturity).

戦禍を免れた一冊のアルバムが、失われた街の記憶と人々の営みを現代に生々しく喚起する、かけがえのないよすがとなっている。

A single album that escaped the ravages of war has become an irreplaceable reliance that vividly evokes the memories of the lost city and the lives of its people in the present day.

Highly literary terms 戦禍を免れる (escape the ravages of war) and よすが (reliance/reminder).

サブスク全盛の現代において、あえてフィジカルなアルバムを所有するという行為は、アーティストへの最大の敬意の表明に他ならない。

In today's era where subscriptions are at their peak, the act of daring to own a physical album is nothing less than the greatest expression of respect for the artist.

Emphatic grammar ~に他ならない (is nothing but / is exactly) and あえて (daringly/purposely).

その前衛的なアルバムは発売当初こそ黙殺されたものの、後進のミュージシャンに多大なインスピレーションを与え、遅れてきた評価を獲得した。

Although that avant-garde album was ignored upon its initial release, it provided immense inspiration to later generations of musicians and garnered delayed critical acclaim.

Advanced vocabulary 黙殺される (to be ignored/killed by silence) and 後進 (successors/younger generation).

記憶の風化に抗う装置としてのアルバムの機能は、デジタル化によって無限の拡張性を得た反面、その物質的な重みを喪失しつつある。

The function of the album as a device to resist the weathering of memory has gained infinite expansibility through digitalization, but on the other hand, it is losing its material weight.

Academic phrasing 風化に抗う (resist weathering) and 反面 (on the other hand).

彼のディスコグラフィーにおいて、このアルバムは異端であると同時に、彼の音楽的ルーツを最も色濃く反映した特異点として位置づけられる。

In his discography, this album is positioned as a singularity that is simultaneously a heresy and the strongest reflection of his musical roots.

Sophisticated analytical terms 異端 (heresy/unorthodox) and 特異点 (singularity).

Collocations courantes

アルバムを聞く (arubamu o kiku - listen to an album)

アルバムを出す (arubamu o dasu - release an album)

アルバムを買う (arubamu o kau - buy an album)

アルバムを見る (arubamu o miru - look at an album)

アルバムを作る (arubamu o tsukuru - make an album)

新しいアルバム (atarashii arubamu - new album)

卒業アルバム (sotsugyou arubamu - graduation album)

写真アルバム (shashin arubamu - photo album)

フルアルバム (furu arubamu - full album)

ベストアルバム (besuto arubamu - best album)

Phrases Courantes

ニューアルバムの発売 (nyuu arubamu no hatsubai - release of a new album)

アルバムの曲 (arubamu no kyoku - songs on the album)

アルバムをめくる (arubamu o mekuru - flip through an album)

アルバムに貼る (arubamu ni haru - paste into an album)

スマホのアルバム (sumaho no arubamu - smartphone album)

デビューアルバム (debyuu arubamu - debut album)

アルバムのジャケット (arubamu no jaketto - album cover/jacket)

アルバムを整理する (arubamu o seiri suru - organize an album)

思い出のアルバム (omoide no arubamu - album of memories)

アルバムの１曲目 (arubamu no ikkyokume - the first song of the album)

Souvent confondu avec

アルバム vs シングル (Single - a music release with only 1-3 songs)

アルバム vs 写真集 (Photo book - a published book of professional photos)

アルバム vs レコード (Record - specifically the vinyl format)

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

アルバム vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

note

While 'album' in English can sometimes refer broadly to a collection, in Japanese, it is quite strictly tied to music releases and photo collections. You wouldn't typically use it for a 'stamp album' unless you specify '切手アルバム' (kitte arubamu).

Erreurs courantes

Pronouncing it like the English 'album' instead of 'a-ru-ba-mu'.
Saying 'アルバムをする' (to do an album) instead of 'アルバムを聞く/見る'.
Confusing a 'シングル' (single) with an 'アルバム' (album).
Writing it in Hiragana (あるばむ) instead of Katakana (アルバム).
Using '写真集' (shashinshuu - published photo book) when you mean a personal '写真アルバム' (photo album).

Astuces

Flat Syllables

Make sure to give equal time to each character: a-ru-ba-mu. Don't rush the 'ru'.

Particle を

Always use を when you are doing an action to the album, like listening to it (アルバムを聞く).

Learn the Verbs

Memorize the pairs: 音楽アルバムを聞く (listen to music album) and 写真アルバムを見る (look at photo album).

Sotsuaru

Remember the slang '卒アル' (sotsuaru) for graduation album. It's very common in anime and dramas.

Digital Use

Don't hesitate to use it for tech. 'スマホのアルバム' (smartphone album) is perfectly natural.

Counting Albums

Use English ordinals for music: ファーストアルバム (1st album), セカンドアルバム (2nd album).

Katakana Practice

It's a great word to practice writing Katakana: ア (a), ル (ru), バ (ba), ム (mu).

Album vs Single

Never call a 1-song release an album in Japanese. Music fans will correct you!

New Album

'新しいアルバム' is correct, but in advertising, you will often see 'ニューアルバム' (New Album).

English Connection

Since it's exactly the same as English, focus your study time on the Japanese verbs that go with it.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

A RUby BAth MUsic: Imagine listening to MUSIC from an ALBUM while in a RUby BAth.

Origine du mot

English 'album', which traces back to Latin 'albus' (white), referring to a blank white tablet used for writing edicts.

Contexte culturel

'Sotsuaru' (graduation albums) are a staple of Japanese school life, often containing individual portraits, club photos, and personal messages.

Japan has the second-largest music market globally. Physical 'albums' (CDs) remain culturally and commercially significant.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"最近、どんなアルバムを聞いていますか？ (What kind of albums are you listening to recently?)"

"一番好きなアルバムは何ですか？ (What is your favorite album?)"

"子供の頃のアルバムを持っていますか？ (Do you have your childhood photo album?)"

"スマホのアルバムに写真が何枚ありますか？ (How many photos are in your smartphone's album?)"

"卒業アルバムを見るのは好きですか？ (Do you like looking at your graduation album?)"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about the first music album you ever bought.

Describe a memorable photo from your family album.

Review a recent album you listened to in Japanese.

Discuss whether you prefer physical photo albums or digital ones.

Write about the music album that changed your life.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It means both! Just like in English, the context determines the meaning. If you are talking about bands and listening, it's music. If you are talking about memories and looking, it's photos.

It is always written in Katakana (アルバム) because it is a loanword from English.

The standard term is 卒業アルバム (sotsugyou arubamu). Students often abbreviate this to 卒アル (sotsuaru).

No, this is unnatural. You must use specific verbs like 聞く (listen), 買う (buy), 見る (look), or 作る (make).

A ミニアルバム (mini arubamu) is equivalent to an EP (Extended Play) in English. It has more tracks than a single but fewer than a full album.

Yes, Japan has a very strong physical music market. CDs and vinyl records are still widely purchased, often for collectible items included inside.

There is no 'l' sound in Japanese. It is replaced with the 'r' sound (a flap consonant). It is pronounced 'a-ru-ba-mu'.

A ベストアルバム (besuto arubamu) is a 'greatest hits' compilation album. It is a very common format in the Japanese music industry.

Yes, the folders in your smartphone's photo app are called アルバム in Japanese.

It is a neutral noun. It can be used in both highly formal and very casual situations depending on the grammar attached to it.

Teste-toi 200 questions

writing

Write a simple sentence saying 'This is an album.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

これはアルバムです。