Translation guide
To make a sound impossible to hear by being louder, or to overwhelm something so it becomes less noticeable.
The learner wants to say that one sound is so loud that another sound cannot be heard.
Literally 'scratch out and erase', this is the most direct and common way to say 'drown out' a sound. It implies a loud sound completely covering a quieter one.
Means 'become inaudible'. It describes the result rather than the action of drowning out. Use when the focus is on the sound that disappears.
The announcement was drowned out by the train noise.
Means 'to strum or thrum loudly', often used for instruments. Can imply drowning out other sounds by playing loudly, but is more about the action of making noise.
The learner wants to say that something is so strong or prominent that it makes something else seem unimportant or hard to notice.
Do not translate 'drown out' literally as 溺れさせる (to make someone drown). That means to cause someone to die in water. Use かき消す for the idiomatic meaning.
彼の声は騒音にかき消された。
His voice was drowned out by the noise.
The music drowned out the conversation.
彼はギターをかき鳴らして、周りの音をかき消した。
He strummed his guitar loudly, drowning out the surrounding sounds.
Also used metaphorically for non-sound contexts, like emotions, memories, or visual elements. It means to completely overshadow or erase.
His achievements were drowned out by the scandal.
Joy drowned out the sadness.
Means 'to become hazy' or 'to be overshadowed'. It describes something fading in importance or visibility compared to something else.
His talent was drowned out by his brother's fame.
Means 'to overwhelm' or 'to overpower'. It can be used when one thing completely dominates another, but it's stronger and less specific than 'drown out'.
His presence drowned out the other performers.