Where Does the Word Karaoke Come from ?
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Last updated: Thursday, November 27, 2008
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What’s this week’s karaoke question? Let’s dive straight in…

Question: Where Does the Word Karaoke Come from ?
Answer: Karaoke (カラオケ, Karaoke? from Japanese kara(空), “empty,” and ōkesutora, “orchestra”, lit. “EmptyOrchestra”)[citation needed] (pronounced /kɑːrɑːˌoʊkɛ/; in Japanese IPA: [karaoke]; listen (help·info)) is a form of entertainment in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music (and/or a music video) using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song in which the voice of the original singer is removed or reduced in volume. This is usually attained by using karaoke equipment or by using computer software which removes the vocals from the original track. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol or changing color and/or music video images, to guide the singer. In some countries, a karaoke music video with lyrics and the option to disable the original voice track is called a KTV. It is very commonly mispronounced as /kæriːoʊkiː/, some people incorrectly spell it “kareoke”.
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  1. The Hat...
    January 1, 1970

    It’s Japanese for empty orchestra.

  2. danny t
    January 1, 1970

    japanese.it means roughly,no orchestra.

  3. kinky
    January 1, 1970

    japan

  4. shy tot
    January 1, 1970

    I thought it was Japanese for scragging a cat!

  5. cherrysimjy
    January 1, 1970

    from a chinese translation.. kong yin yue…karaoke????

  6. wizarduk
    January 1, 1970

    Japanese for ‘They who sing on X Factor’

  7. bentscooters
    January 1, 1970

    japanese for music with no words

  8. vcs7578
    January 1, 1970

    As responded above it is Japanese. For your query, you could also go to merriam-webster.com. They have meanings, word origins etc and link to Britannica.