Translation guide
The English word "chime" can refer to a ringing sound, a set of bells, or the act of making such a sound. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether it's a doorbell, a wind chime, a clock chime, or a melodic ring.
A decorative hanging object that makes a tinkling sound in the wind, often associated with summer in Japan.
The standard word for wind chime, especially the glass Japanese kind used in summer.
In summer, the sound of wind chimes is refreshing.
A short ringing sound made by a doorbell, phone, or electronic device.
Loanword from English, used for doorbells, school bells, and electronic chimes.
The doorbell chimed.
The chime signaling the start of class rings.
Literally 'calling bell', a more traditional term for doorbell, but less common than チャイム.
The sound a clock makes to mark the hour, or a single strike of a bell.
Refers to a bell or its sound, often used for large bells like temple bells or clock towers.
The clock tower bell chimed noon.
Literally 'sound of the bell', used when emphasizing the sound itself.
I could hear the chime of a bell from afar.
Also used for clock chimes, especially digital or electronic ones.
The action of producing a clear ringing sound, like bells or a small instrument.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to ring' or 'to sound'. Used for bells, chimes, phones, etc.
The wind chime is chiming in the wind.
Transitive verb meaning 'to ring' or 'to sound' something. Use when someone causes the chime.
Onomatopoeic expression for a small tinkling chime, like a bicycle bell or small wind chime.
The bicycle bell went 'chirin chirin'.
A musical instrument consisting of tuned bells or metal bars, often played with a mallet.
チャイム is a loanword for modern electronic chimes (doorbells, school bells, digital clocks). 鐘 refers to traditional large bells (temple bells, clock tower bells) and their sound. For wind chimes, always use 風鈴.
The phrasal verb 'chime in' (to join a conversation) does not use any bell-related words. Use 口を挟む (くちをはさむ) or 会話に加わる (かいわにくわわる) instead.
The wind chime tinkled softly.
I heard the doorbell chime.
呼び鈴を押しても誰も出なかった。
I rang the doorbell, but no one answered.
That clock chimes every hour.
He chimed the bell.
The clear sound of the metallophone rang out.