Translation guide
Describes a rough, weak, or strained voice, often from illness, overuse, or emotion.
The voice sounds rough, scratchy, or unclear, often due to a cold, shouting, or dryness.
The most common and natural adjective for a hoarse, husky, or raspy voice. Used for both temporary and chronic conditions.
風邪で声がしわがれている。
My voice is hoarse from a cold.
彼はしわがれた声で話した。
He spoke in a hoarse voice.
Similar to しわがれた, but often implies a weaker, more breathy hoarseness. Can also describe a faint or indistinct sound.
声がかすれてよく聞こえない。
My voice is hoarse and hard to hear.
Loanword from English 'husky'. Often used positively to describe an attractive, low, slightly rough voice, especially in entertainment contexts.
彼女のハスキーな声が魅力的だ。
Her husky voice is charming.
The voice becomes hoarse after shouting, singing, or talking too much.
Literally 'voice withers'. The most natural way to say one's voice gives out or becomes hoarse from overuse.
昨日叫びすぎて声が枯れた。
I shouted too much yesterday and lost my voice.
応援で声が枯れてしまった。
My voice got hoarse from cheering.
Literally 'voice is crushed'. Implies a more severe loss of voice, often to the point of being unable to speak.
カラオケで歌いすぎて声が潰れた。
I sang too much at karaoke and my voice is wrecked.
The voice is hoarse specifically because of a cold, flu, or throat infection.
Common expression meaning 'voice won't come out due to a cold'. Often used when the voice is very weak or gone.
風邪で声が出なくて、電話に出られなかった。
I couldn't answer the phone because I lost my voice from a cold.
Describes hoarseness accompanied by a sore throat.
喉が痛くて声がかすれるので、あまり話せない。
My throat hurts and my voice is hoarse, so I can't talk much.
The voice becomes rough or choked due to crying, fear, or strong emotion.
Describes a voice made hoarse by crying.
彼女は泣き声でかすれた声で謝った。
She apologized in a voice hoarse from crying.
Literally 'voice gets blocked by emotion'. Describes a choked, hoarse voice due to overwhelming feelings.
感謝の言葉を述べようとしたが、感情で声が詰まった。
I tried to express my gratitude, but my voice choked with emotion.
Both mean 'hoarse', but しわがれた emphasizes a rough, grating quality, while かすれた suggests a faint, breathy, or indistinct sound. しわがれた is more common for describing a person's voice.
The English word 'hoarse' is an adjective, but Japanese often uses verb phrases like 声が枯れる (voice becomes hoarse) or descriptive phrases like しわがれた声 (hoarse voice). Using a single adjective equivalent is less natural.