Translation guide
The English word "sound" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical noise to the impression something gives. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents for English-speaking learners.
To refer to something you can hear, like a noise, a voice, or a musical tone.
The most common and general word for 'sound' or 'noise'. It refers to any audible sound, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
変な音が聞こえた。
I heard a strange sound.
このギターはいい音がする。
This guitar makes a nice sound.
Specifically refers to the sound of something moving or being moved, like footsteps, a door closing, or a rustling noise. Often used when you hear an unidentified noise.
隣の部屋から物音がした。
I heard a sound from the next room.
Refers to the way a sound resonates or echoes, often with a nuance of how it affects you emotionally. Used for the quality of a sound, like the ring of a bell or the tone of a voice.
鐘の響きが美しい。
The sound of the bell is beautiful.
Technical term for 'audio' or 'voice sound', often used in contexts like audio recording, speech, or multimedia.
音声が途切れる。
The sound cuts out.
To describe the overall impression, vibe, or feel of something, often based on what you hear or read.
The most natural way to express 'sound' when talking about an impression. It means 'feeling' or 'impression'.
それ、いい感じだね。
That sounds good.
彼の話は変な感じがした。
His story sounded strange.
Used in the pattern ～ようだ to mean 'it sounds like' or 'it seems like', based on what you've heard or observed.
雨が降っているようだ。
It sounds like it's raining.
A hearsay marker attached to verbs/adjectives to mean 'I hear that...' or 'it sounds like...'. Often used with だ/です.
彼は来ないそうだ。
It sounds like he's not coming.
Expresses conjecture based on reliable information or typical characteristics. 'It sounds like...' or 'I heard that...'.
あの店はおいしいらしい。
That restaurant sounds good (I've heard it's good).
To express that something seems a certain way based on what you've been told or read.
A casual, colloquial way to say 'it sounds like' or 'it seems like'. Very common in spoken Japanese.
それ、面白いみたいだね。
That sounds interesting.
Literally 'sounds like ~'. A direct translation that is natural when you want to emphasize the auditory impression.
彼は怒っているそうに聞こえた。
He sounded angry.
To describe something as being in good shape, reliable, or valid, as in 'safe and sound' or 'a sound argument'.
Means 'sound', 'healthy', or 'wholesome'. Used for both physical and mental health, as well as for systems or organizations.
彼は心身ともに健全だ。
He is sound in mind and body.
An adjective meaning 'solid', 'reliable', or 'sound'. Used for arguments, plans, or people.
彼の議論はしっかりしている。
His argument is sound.
Means 'safe' or 'unharmed'. Often used in the phrase 'safe and sound'.
彼は無事に帰ってきた。
He came back safe and sound.
To express the action of causing a sound, like ringing, beeping, or making a noise.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to sound', 'to ring', or 'to make a sound'. Used for phones, bells, alarms, etc.
電話が鳴っている。
The phone is ringing.
Transitive verb meaning 'to sound' or 'to ring' something. You make something produce a sound.
A phrase meaning 'to produce a sound' or 'to make a noise'. General and versatile.
静かにしてください。音を出さないで。
Please be quiet. Don't make a sound.
To express that something you hear or read reminds you of something you know.
Literally 'to have a memory of hearing'. The most natural way to say 'that sounds familiar'.
その名前、聞き覚えがある。
That name sounds familiar.
Means 'I've heard that somewhere before'. A bit more roundabout but very common.
その話、どこかで聞いたことがある。
That story sounds familiar.
While 音 (おと) is the direct translation for physical sound, English uses 'sound' in many idiomatic ways that require different Japanese expressions. For example, 'That sounds good' is not それはいい音だ but それはいい感じだ or それはいいね.
音 (おと) is a general sound or noise. 声 (こえ) specifically means 'voice' (human or animal). Don't use 音 for voices unless you mean the sound quality of the voice itself.
それはいい考えだね！
That sounds like a great idea!
Natural Japanese often drops 'sounds like' and just states the impression directly.
何も聞こえなかった。
I didn't hear a sound.
Literally 'I couldn't hear anything'. More natural than 音がしなかった in many contexts.
He sounded the horn.