folk song

IPA/ˈfəʊk sɒŋ/
IPA/ˈfəʊk sɔːŋ/

folk song — noun

1. A song that people in a particular area or community have sung for many years, o

1.名詞B1
釋義

A song that people in a particular area or community have sung for many years, often passed from older to younger generations without anyone knowing who first wrote it.

例句

In Ireland, the old folk song 'The Water is Wide' has been sung for over three hundred years.

countable + the + folk song + specific named example

My grandfather taught me a beautiful folk song that he had learned from his own father.

同義詞
  • traditional song

    broader term — can include non-folk traditional songs like hymns, nursery rhymes

  • ballad

    a specific type of folk song that tells a story, often with a dramatic plot

  • folk tune

    focuses on the melody rather than the lyrics; can be instrumental

反義詞
  • pop song

    commercially produced, often with a known songwriter and shorter lifespan

  • art song

    composed by a trained musician for performance, not community singing

文法句型

the + folk song

a + folk song

folk song + of + place/people

用法筆記

Traditional folk songs are typically passed down orally and often have a simple melody, a repeating refrain, and a verse structure. Unlike pop songs, the original composer is usually unknown.

常見錯誤

❌I heard a folk song music on the radio.
✅I heard a folk song on the radio.
💡'folk song' already means the music itself; adding 'music' is redundant.
❌This is an old folk from my country.
✅This is an old folk song from my country.
💡'folk' alone means 'people'; the word 'song' is needed.

2. A modern song that uses simple instruments, especially an acoustic guitar, and h

2.名詞B1
釋義

A modern song that uses simple instruments, especially an acoustic guitar, and has a style that is similar to traditional music from a community or country.

例句

Ryan picked up his acoustic guitar and played a folk song he had written about his hometown.

folk song + about + topic; written by the singer

The café hosted a folk song night where local musicians performed original songs on guitar and violin.

同義詞
  • folk-pop song

    a crossover style that combines folk with pop music, often more produced

  • singer-songwriter piece

    focuses on the artist who writes and performs their own material

  • acoustic song

    broader category that includes non-folk styles played on acoustic instruments

反義詞
  • electronic music

    created with synthesizers, drum machines, and digital production

  • pop anthem

    commercially produced, often with a big beat and layered production

文法句型

a + folk song

folk song + about + topic

folk song + written + by

用法筆記

This sense is closely tied to the 1960s folk revival movement. Instruments are typically acoustic (guitar, banjo, violin). Lyrics often address social or political issues. Distinguished from sense 1 in that the composer is known and the song is deliberately created in a folk style.

常見錯誤

❌She played a folk music song on her guitar.
✅She played a folk song on her guitar.
💡Avoid doubling 'music' and 'song'; one is sufficient.
❌The folk song had electric drums and synthesizers.
✅The folk song used only acoustic guitar and a simple drum.
💡Folk songs in this sense typically use acoustic, not electronic instruments.