The word karaoke is derived from two Japanese words 'kara' comes from the word 'karappo' meaning empty or void and 'oke' comes from the word 'okesutura' or orchestra. Karaoke songs are typically music reproductions without the voice of the singer.

What does the Japanese word karaoke mean?

Karaoke (/ˌkærəˈoʊki/; Japanese: [kaɾaoke] ( listen); カラオケ, clipped compound of Japanese kara 空 "empty" and ōkesutora オーケストラ "orchestra") is a type of interactive entertainment usually offered in clubs and bars, where people sing along to recorded music using a microphone.

Does karaoke come from Japan?

Karaoke first originated in Japan during the 1970's. In 1971, the first Karaoke machine was invented in Kobe, Japan, by a musician Daisuke Inoue. The name of the Karaoke machine actually came about when an orchestra went on strike. In lieu of the orchestra, they improvised and used a machine instead to play the music.