Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of an 'alarm bell' can be expressed through specific words for physical bells, metaphorical warnings, or set phrases. The most common and direct translation is 警鐘 (keishō), which covers both literal and figurative uses.
Referring to a bell that rings to warn of danger, such as a fire alarm bell or security alarm.
The standard word for an alarm bell, used for both literal bells and metaphorical warnings.
火災を知らせる警鐘が鳴った。
The fire alarm bell rang.
Literally 'warning bell', often used for bells in alarm systems.
警報ベルが鳴り響いた。
The alarm bell rang out.
Emergency bell, commonly found in buildings for fire or other emergencies.
非常ベルを押してください。
Please press the emergency bell.
Something that serves as a warning or alert about a problem, often used in phrases like 'set alarm bells ringing'.
Literally 'to ring the alarm bell', used metaphorically to mean 'to sound a warning' or 'to raise the alarm'.
その報告は、環境問題に警鐘を鳴らしている。
The report is sounding the alarm on environmental issues.
Means 'to arouse suspicion' or 'to make someone wary', often used when something triggers a mental alarm.
彼の不自然な態度が警戒心を抱かせた。
His unnatural behavior set off alarm bells.
The moment when one becomes suspicious or aware of a problem.
Directly translates the idiom; used when a warning sign appears.
その話を聞いて、頭の中で警鐘が鳴った。
When I heard that story, alarm bells started ringing in my head.
A more colloquial way to say 'to feel something is off', capturing the sense of internal alarm.
彼の説明に何かおかしいと感じた。
His explanation set off alarm bells.
The loanword アラームベル (arāmu beru) is sometimes used for physical alarm bells, but it is not natural for metaphorical uses. Stick to 警鐘 or other native phrases for warnings.
警鐘 is a somewhat formal word. In casual conversation, you might simply say 警告 (けいこく, warning) or use phrases like 危ない (あぶない, dangerous) to convey a sense of alarm.
売上の急落が警鐘を鳴らした。
The sudden drop in sales set alarm bells ringing.
警鐘を聞いて避難した。
I heard the alarm bell and evacuated.
Literally 'danger signal', used metaphorically for a warning sign.
その症状は危険信号だ。
That symptom is an alarm bell.