Translation guide
The act of striking a surface to make a sound, typically to gain entry or attention. In Japanese, the expression depends on the context: knocking on a door, a knocking sound, or metaphorical 'knocking' like criticism.
ドアをノックする
knock on the door
To strike a door with knuckles to request entry or announce presence.
The most common and neutral way to say 'knock on a door'. Borrowed from English, used in everyday situations.
ドアをノックしてください。
Please knock on the door.
誰かがノックしている。
Someone is knocking.
Literally 'to hit/strike the door'. Can imply knocking, but also a harder hit. Use ノックする for polite knocking.
Can sound more forceful than a polite knock. ノックする is safer for everyday use.
彼はドアを強く叩いた。
He knocked hard on the door.
Onomatopoeic expression mimicking the sound of knocking. Often used in narratives or children's language.
彼はドアをコンコンと叩いた。
He knocked knock-knock on the door.
The sound produced by knocking, often heard but source unknown.
The sound of knocking. ノック (knock) + 音 (sound).
ノックの音が聞こえた。
I heard a knocking sound.
Generic 'hitting sound', can be knocking or other impacts.
壁を叩く音がした。
There was a knocking sound on the wall.
Onomatopoeic description of a light knocking sound.
ドアからコンコンという音がした。
There was a knock-knock sound from the door.
To criticize or find fault with someone or something, often unfairly.
General term for 'criticize'. Not specific to 'knocking', but conveys the meaning of finding fault.
彼はいつも私の仕事を批判する。
He's always knocking my work.
To speak ill of, disparage. Stronger than 批判する, closer to 'badmouth'.
彼女はいつも他人をけなす。
She's always knocking other people.
To harshly criticize, tear down. Very strong, often used in reviews or arguments.
A metallic knocking sound from an engine, indicating a mechanical problem.
Borrowed English term specifically for engine knocking. Used in automotive contexts.
エンジンからノッキング音がする。
The engine is making a knocking sound.
Alternative using ノック, but ノッキング is more standard.
エンジンのノックがひどい。
The engine knock is bad.
ノックする specifically means a polite knock to announce presence, while 叩く is a general verb for hitting or striking. Use ノックする when visiting someone's home or office.
部屋に入る前にノックしてください。
Please knock before entering the room.
ドアをノックする音が聞こえた。
I heard a knocking at the door.
私のアイデアを批判するのはやめて。
Stop knocking my ideas.
評論家がその映画をこき下ろした。
The critics knocked the movie.