Translation guide
Describes a loud, resonant metallic sound, like two pieces of metal striking each other. Japanese uses onomatopoeia and mimetic words to capture this sound.
To express a loud, echoing metallic noise, such as a bell, gong, or heavy metal object being struck.
To describe the noise made when metal objects hit each other, such as swords, pipes, or tools.
Mimetic word for a loud, crashing metallic sound, like metal objects falling or being dropped. Often implies a bit of a clatter.
To express the action of producing a clang, often used for bells or metal objects being struck.
Verb phrase using the mimetic word ガーン with the verb 鳴る (to sound). Describes something making a loud clang.
鐘がガーンと鳴った。
The bell clanged.
Japanese onomatopoeia like ガーン or カーン are often used with the particle と and a verb (e.g., 鳴る, 音がする). They are very common in casual speech and manga, but less so in formal writing. For formal contexts, use verbs like 鳴り響く (なりひびく, to resound) or 打ち鳴らす (うちならす, to ring/clang).
These mimetic words differ in pitch and resonance. ガーン is a heavy, low-to-mid resonant clang (gong, shock). カーン is a sharp, high-pitched clang (hammer, bat). ゴーン is a deep, booming clang (temple bell). Choose based on the sound quality.
ゴーンという鐘の音
the deep clang of the bell
門がガチャンと閉まった。
The gate clanged shut.
台所からガーンという大きな音が聞こえた。
I heard a loud clang from the kitchen.
The bell clanged loudly.
頭をぶつけてガーンとした。
I hit my head and it went clang.
Mimetic word for a sharp, high-pitched metallic clang, like a hammer hitting an anvil or a baseball bat hitting a ball.
バットがボールに当たってカーンと音がした。
The bat hit the ball with a clang.
Mimetic word for a deep, resonant clang, like a large temple bell or a ship's bell.
除夜の鐘がゴーンと響いた。
The New Year's Eve bell clanged deeply.
Mimetic word for a very high-pitched, sustained metallic ringing, like tinnitus or a tuning fork. Less of a 'clang' and more of a 'ring'.
耳がキーンと鳴っている。
My ears are ringing with a high-pitched clang.
鍋がガチャンと落ちた。
The pot fell with a clang.
Mimetic word for a sharp, hard metallic impact, like two swords clashing or a hammer striking metal.
刀と刀がガチンとぶつかった。
The swords clanged together.
Mimetic word for a light, sharp metallic click or clang, like a small metal object hitting another. Can also mean 'to get offended' in slang.
硬貨がカチンと音を立てた。
The coins clanged lightly.
Verb phrase for something falling with a clang, using ガチャン and 落ちる (to fall).
スプーンがガチャンと落ちた。
The spoon fell with a clang.
A more formal verb meaning 'to ring' or 'to clang' something, like a bell or gong. Literally 'strike and make sound'.
彼はゴングを打ち鳴らした。
He clanged the gong.