Japanese word

声

Pronunciation

Romajikoe

Meaning

  • nounvoice

Example

先生の声が聞こえます。sen sei no koe ga ki ko e ma su

I can hear the teacher's voice.

Illustration for 声 (voice)

More examples

これは先生の声です。ko re wa sen sei no koe de su

This is the teacher's voice.

大きな声で名前を呼びます。ō ki na koe de na mae o yo bi ma su

I call out a name in a loud voice.

Core concept

Centers on the sound a person produces through the throat and mouth in speaking, singing, or calling.

Common phrases

  • 声をかけるkoe o ka ke ru

    speak to ___

  • 声を出すkoe o da su

    make a sound

  • 大きな声ō ki na koe

    a loud voice

  • 小さな声chii sa na koe

    a soft voice

Similar words

音oto: A sound produced by a person, object, or natural source.
話し声hanashigoe: The sound of a person speaking in a normal conversational manner.
歌声utagoe: The sound produced by a person who is singing.

Definition in Japanese

人が口や喉から発する音声。hito ga kuchi ya nodo ka ra has su ru on sei

Word origin

声 (koe, "voice") is a native Japanese word with the form koe already recorded in Old Japanese.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 声 (koe) usually refers to a person's speaking or singing sound, while 音 (oto) covers sounds more broadly.

Word lists with this word