Translation guide
To speak very quietly, often so that only a specific person can hear. Japanese has several verbs for whispering, differing by nuance: neutral, secretive, or murmuring. The most common and versatile word is ささやく.
To say something in a low, soft voice, often to avoid being overheard or to convey intimacy.
To make a soft, indistinct sound by speaking quietly, often without clear articulation.
Describing a soft, whispering-like sound made by wind, leaves, etc.
Used for the gentle rustling of leaves or grass in the wind. Not for human speech.
ささやく is the general verb for whispering. ひそひそ話す emphasizes the secretive, hushed quality and is often used adverbially. 耳打ちする specifically means to whisper into someone's ear, usually a short message.
彼女は私に「好き」とささやいた。
She whispered 'I like you' to me.
会議中にひそひそ話すのは失礼だ。
It's rude to whisper during a meeting.
The standard, neutral word for 'whisper'. Can be used for sweet nothings, secrets, or simply speaking quietly.
彼は彼女の耳元で愛の言葉をささやいた。
He whispered words of love into her ear.
図書館では、ささやくように話してください。
Please speak in a whisper in the library.
Emphasizes a secretive, hushed tone, often between two people. The adverb ひそひそ mimics the sound of whispering.
二人は隅でひそひそ話していた。
The two were whispering in the corner.
Literally 'to strike the ear', meaning to whisper directly into someone's ear, often to share a secret or a quick piece of information.
彼は私に秘密を耳打ちした。
He whispered the secret into my ear.
Implies sneaky, furtive whispering, often with a negative connotation of plotting or gossiping.
あの人たち、いつもこそこそ話してるよね。
Those people are always whispering sneakily, aren't they?
To murmur or mutter, often to oneself. It can be a whisper, but not necessarily directed at someone. Commonly used for tweeting (as in Twitter).
彼は何かをつぶやきながら去っていった。
He left, murmuring something to himself.
To speak in a low, mumbling, or grumbling whisper, often hard to hear. Can imply dissatisfaction or lack of confidence.
彼はぼそぼそと文句を言った。
He grumbled in a low whisper.
風に木の葉がそよいでいる。
The leaves are whispering in the wind.
Can also be used metaphorically for wind or streams, but そよぐ is more specific for leaves.
小川のせせらぎがささやくようだ。
The babbling of the brook is like a whisper.
He whispered the answer into my ear.
While ささやく is the most direct translation, it can sound romantic or poetic. For casual, secretive whispering between friends, ひそひそ話す or 耳打ちする may be more natural. For muttering to oneself, use つぶやく.
He whispered the answer into my ear.
While ささやく is the most direct translation, it can sound romantic or poetic. For casual, secretive whispering between friends, ひそひそ話す or 耳打ちする may be more natural. For muttering to oneself, use つぶやく.