Translation guide
The act of producing a musical sound with closed lips, or a continuous low sound like a machine or insect.
To produce a melody by humming with your mouth closed.
The most common word for humming a tune. Literally 'nose song'. Often used with the verb 歌う (to sing) or 口ずさむ (to hum to oneself).
A steady, low, droning sound like an engine, fan, or bee.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a humming or buzzing sound. ブーン mimics the sound, and という音 means 'the sound of'. Used for bees, motors, etc.
蜂がブーンという音を立てている。
The bee is making a humming sound.
To be full of activity, excitement, or busy movement (e.g., 'the office was humming').
Means 'to be overflowing with energy/liveliness'. Natural way to describe a place that is bustling or humming with activity.
オフィスは活気にあふれている。
The office is humming with activity.
鼻歌 is the native Japanese word and feels more natural in everyday speech. ハミング is a loanword and often used in musical contexts or when referring to humming as a technique. Both are common, but 鼻歌 is slightly more idiomatic.
鼻歌を歌うのは楽しい。
Humming a tune is fun.
彼はハミングの練習をしている。
He is practicing humming.
ハミング is only used for vocal humming by people. For machine or insect humming, use onomatopoeia like ブーン or words like うなり.
彼は鼻歌を歌いながら料理をしている。
He is cooking while humming a tune.
鼻歌が聞こえてきた。
I could hear someone humming.
Verb meaning to hum or sing softly to oneself, often without thinking. Can be used for humming or quietly singing.
彼女はメロディーを口ずさんでいた。
She was humming the melody.
Loanword from English, used as a verb. Common in casual contexts or when referring to humming as a vocal exercise.
彼はよくハミングしながら歩く。
He often walks while humming.
The refrigerator is humming.
Literally 'low groan/growl', used for a deep humming or droning noise, like an engine or wind.
エンジンの低いうなりが聞こえる。
I can hear the low hum of the engine.
Noun meaning groan, growl, or hum. Often used for mechanical or natural low sounds. Can sound slightly literary.
風の唸りが一晩中続いた。
The hum of the wind continued all night.
Means 'to be bustling/crowded'. Used for places full of people and activity.
市場は人で賑わっている。
The market is humming with people.