Translation guide
Describes a deep, rich, resonant sound, often pleasing and full. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives and descriptive phrases depending on the context, such as voices, musical instruments, or bells.
To describe a sound that is full, deep, and pleasingly resonant, like a rich voice or a bell.
A common phrase meaning 'resonates well' or 'echoes richly'. It can describe voices, instruments, or any sound that carries a deep, full quality.
彼の声はとてもよく響く。
His voice is very sonorous.
Describes a clear, ringing, and sonorous voice, often used for singing or oratory. Implies a beautiful, carrying quality.
彼女の朗々とした歌声がホールに響いた。
Her sonorous singing voice echoed through the hall.
Means 'massive' or 'profound', and when used for sound, it conveys a deep, weighty, and sonorous quality, often for music or a voice.
そのオーケストラの重厚な響きに感動した。
I was moved by the orchestra's sonorous sound.
A verb meaning 'to resound' or 'to echo loudly'. It emphasizes the action of a sonorous sound filling a space, like bells or trumpets.
教会の鐘が鳴り響いた。
The church bells resounded sonorously.
Specifically describing a speaking or singing voice that is low, resonant, and pleasant.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a low and well-resonating voice'. It directly captures the sonorous quality of a voice.
彼は低くてよく響く声で話し始めた。
He began to speak in a sonorous voice.
Literally 'like a baritone', used to describe a voice that is deep and rich, similar to the male singing voice.
彼のバリトンのような声はとても魅力的だ。
His sonorous, baritone-like voice is very attractive.
Means 'a voice with depth'. It suggests a rich, resonant quality without necessarily being low-pitched.
ナレーターの深みのある声が番組を引き締める。
The narrator's sonorous voice gives the program a sense of gravity.
Emphasizing the powerful, carrying nature of a sonorous sound, like a gong or a large bell.
A verb meaning 'to roar', 'to reverberate', or 'to resound'. It conveys a powerful, often deep, sound that fills the air.
雷鳴が轟いた。
Thunder roared sonorously.
Means 'to resound across' or 'to echo far and wide'. It is used for sounds that travel and fill a large area, like temple bells.
響く (hibiku) is a general verb for resonating or echoing, and can be used for pleasant or neutral sounds. 鳴り響く (narihibiku) emphasizes a loud, ringing sound that spreads. 轟く (todoroku) implies a deep, powerful roar or rumble, often for natural phenomena or large instruments.
歌声がホールに響く。
The singing voice resonates in the hall.
鐘の音が鳴り響く。
The sound of the bell rings out loudly.
太鼓の音が轟く。
The sound of the drums roars.
There is no single Japanese adjective that perfectly matches 'sonorous' in all contexts. Avoid using dictionary translations like 音響の (onkyō no, 'acoustic') or 響きの良い (hibiki no yoi, 'good-sounding') as direct equivalents, as they can sound unnatural. Instead, use the descriptive phrases provided.
彼の声は響きが良い。
His voice has a good resonance. (Acceptable but less natural than よく響く)
除夜の鐘が鳴り渡る。
The sonorous bells of New Year's Eve ring out across the land.