Translation guide
The English word 'croak' can refer to the sound made by frogs or ravens, or informally to dying. This guide covers how to express these concepts naturally in Japanese.
The deep, rough sound made by a frog.
The most common onomatopoeia for a frog's croak. Often used in children's books and everyday speech.
The harsh, low sound made by a raven or crow.
The standard onomatopoeia for a crow's caw, which can be used for 'croak' when referring to ravens or crows.
カラスがカーカー鳴いている。
The crow is croaking.
To die, especially in a crude or humorous way.
The Japanese frog sounds ゲロゲロ or ケロケロ are never used to mean 'to die'. Using them in that context would cause confusion.
彼はゲロゲロした。
He croaked. (incorrect, sounds like 'He ribbited.')
カエルがゲロゲロ鳴いている。
The frog is croaking.
A lighter, cuter version of the frog croak sound, often used for smaller frogs or in a more playful context.
小さなカエルがケロケロと鳴いた。
The little frog croaked.
A less common, deeper onomatopoeia for a frog's croak, sometimes used for larger frogs.
大きなウシガエルがグワッグワッと鳴く。
The big bullfrog croaks.
A harsher, more grating version of the crow's call, sometimes used for ravens.
ワタリガラスがガーガーと鳴いた。
The raven croaked.
A vulgar verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kick the bucket'. Often used as an insult or in rough speech.
あいつ、ついにくたばったよ。
That guy finally croaked.
The neutral word for 'to die'. Not slangy like 'croak', but can be used in informal contexts.
彼は昨日死んだ。
He croaked yesterday. (literally: He died yesterday.)
A euphemistic or humorous phrase meaning 'to kick the bucket' or 'to croak', literally 'to become a Buddha'.
じいさんがお陀仏になった。
The old man croaked.