📝 A short poem 🛶 A large canoe 🚶 To walk

waka

1 9.9

A short traditional Japanese poem that has thirty-one syllables and expresses nature or feelings

noun
/ˈwɑːkə/

Literature

: waka

During the poetry festival, she recited a waka that beautifully described the changing seasons.

Examples

You know, I'm just spitballing here, but maybe what you should do is compare modern day rappers to Ancient Japanese samurai and their poetic mastery of haiku and waka.

Bodied (2018)
In Japanese literature, waka is known for its emotional depth and rich imagery.
Many students enjoy studying waka because it allows them to express their feelings in a structured format.

Synonyms

haiku

vswaka

Literature

18 7.1

A very short Japanese poem of three lines often about nature

is longer and used for fuller personal or nature expression

tanka

vswaka

Literature

1 9.9

A short Japanese poem with five lines and a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern

has identical meaning but described by total syllable count rather than line pattern

sloka

vswaka

Literature

1 9.9

A short verse in classical Sanskrit poetry with a fixed rhythm

belongs to Japanese poetic tradition with a fixed syllable count and personal tone

pantoum

vswaka

Literature

9.9

A poem with lines that repeat in a set pattern and a fixed rhyme

focuses on a set syllable total and personal or nature themes rather than repetition

Surface Forms

waka singular

wakas plural

Etymology

Waka comes from Japanese and means a traditional short 'poem', often 31 syllables and about feelings or nature. Think of a waka as a tiny 'song' of words, which is why it now names this kind of poem.