Translation guide
The English word 'croak' can refer to the sound made by frogs or ravens, or informally to dying. This guide covers how to express these concepts naturally in Japanese.
The deep, rough sound made by a frog.
The most common onomatopoeia for a frog's croak. Often used in children's books and everyday speech.
The harsh, low sound made by a raven or crow.
The standard onomatopoeia for a crow's caw, which can be used for 'croak' when referring to ravens or crows.
The crow is croaking.
To die, especially in a crude or humorous way.
A vulgar verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kick the bucket'. Often used as an insult or in rough speech.
The Japanese frog sounds ゲロゲロ or ケロケロ are never used to mean 'to die'. Using them in that context would cause confusion.
He croaked. (incorrect, sounds like 'He ribbited.')
カエルがゲロゲロ鳴いている。
The frog is croaking.
A lighter, cuter version of the frog croak sound, often used for smaller frogs or in a more playful context.
The little frog croaked.
A less common, deeper onomatopoeia for a frog's croak, sometimes used for larger frogs.
The big bullfrog croaks.
A harsher, more grating version of the crow's call, sometimes used for ravens.
The raven croaked.
That guy finally croaked.
The neutral word for 'to die'. Not slangy like 'croak', but can be used in informal contexts.
He croaked yesterday. (literally: He died yesterday.)
A euphemistic or humorous phrase meaning 'to kick the bucket' or 'to croak', literally 'to become a Buddha'.
The old man croaked.