Japanese word

悲鳴

Pronunciation

Romajihimei

Meaning

  • nounscream

Example

彼女は大きな悲鳴を上げました。kano jo wa ō ki na hi mei o a ge ma shi ta

She let out a loud scream.

Illustration for 悲鳴 (scream)

More examples

彼は夢の中で自分の悲鳴を聞きました。kare wa yume no naka de ji bun no hi mei o ki ki ma shi ta

He heard his own scream in a dream.

Core concept

Describes a sudden, forceful voice that bursts out when strong fear, pain, or surprise overwhelms a person.

Common phrases

  • 悲鳴を上げるhi mei o a ge ru

    let out a scream

  • 悲鳴が響くhi mei ga hibi ku

    a scream echoes

  • 悲鳴を抑えるhi mei o osa e ru

    suppress a scream

Similar words

叫び声sakebigoe: A loud cry or shout made by a person to express strong emotion or call attention.
絶叫zekkyō: A very loud cry caused by extreme fear, pain, or excitement.
金切り声kanakirikoe: A high-pitched, piercing cry that is difficult to ignore.

Definition in Japanese

恐怖や苦痛などを感じたときに、とっさに発する大きな声。kyō fu ya ku tsū na do o kan ji ta to ki ni to ssa ni has su ru ō ki na koe

Word origin

The compound 悲 (hi, "sorrow") + 鳴 (mei, "to cry or sound") forms 悲鳴 (himei), meaning a cry that expresses strong distress.

Usage tips

  • In English, scream can describe a loud nonhuman sound as well as a human cry, as in the scream of a jet engine.

Other meanings

  • shrieknoun
  • crynoun

Word lists with this word