Japanese word

吠える

Pronunciation

Romajihoeru

Meaning

  • verbbark

Example

犬が大きな声で吠えます。inu ga ō ki na koe de ho e ma su

The dog barks loudly.

Illustration for 吠える (bark)

More examples

あの犬は朝に吠えます。a no inu wa asa ni ho e ma su

That dog barks in the morning.

物音を聞くと、その犬はすぐに吠えます。mono oto o ki ku to so no inu wa su gu ni ho e ma su

That dog barks as soon as it hears a noise.

Core concept

吠える (hoeru) describes an animal sending out a strong call in response to excitement, fear, or anger.

Common phrases

  • 大声で吠えるō goe de ho e ru

    bark loudly

  • 人に向かって吠えるhito ni mu ka tte ho e ru

    bark at people

  • 夜中に吠えるyo naka ni ho e ru

    bark in the middle of the night

Similar words

鳴くnaku: To make a sound as an animal or bird.
唸るunaru: To make a low, rough sound that can show anger or threat.
咆哮するhōkōsuru: To make a very loud roar, especially as a large animal.

Definition in Japanese

動物が周囲に響くような声を出す。dō butsu ga shū i ni hibi ku yō na koe o da su

Word origin

吠える (hoeru) is a native Japanese verb related to older 吠ゆ (hoyu, "to cry out"), whose meaning covers animal cries such as barks and howls.

Usage tips

  • 吠える (hoeru) can describe a dog, wolf, or lion, so the animal determines whether bark, howl, or roar is the natural English verb.

Other meanings

  • howlverb
  • roarverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 吠え方hoekataway of barkingnoun

Word lists with this word