Translation guide
The English word 'honk' refers to the sound of a car horn, goose, or similar noise. In Japanese, different words are used depending on the source of the sound.
The sound made by a car horn, or the act of honking a car horn.
Refers to the car horn itself or the sound it makes. Commonly used in the phrase クラクションを鳴らす (to honk the horn).
The loud, harsh sound made by a goose or other large bird.
Onomatopoeia for the honking sound of a goose or duck. Can be used as a noun or adverb with 鳴く.
ガチョウがガーガー鳴いている。
The goose is honking.
Any loud, blaring noise similar to a horn, such as a factory whistle or a person imitating the sound.
Onomatopoeia for a low, buzzing horn or buzzer sound, like a game show buzzer or a ship's horn.
クラクション is the everyday word for a car horn and its sound. 警笛 is more formal and can refer to any warning horn, such as on a train or ship. In casual conversation, クラクション is preferred.
クラクションがうるさい。
The honking is annoying.
警笛を鳴らしてください。
Please sound the horn. (formal)
The direct katakana loanword ホンク is not commonly used in Japanese. Use the appropriate onomatopoeia or クラクション instead.
後ろの車がクラクションを鳴らした。
The car behind me honked.
A more formal way to say 'sound the horn'. 警笛 means 'warning horn/whistle'.
運転手は警笛を鳴らして注意を促した。
The driver honked to get attention.
Onomatopoeia for a car horn sound, often used in casual speech or children's language.
車がプップーって鳴った。
The car went 'beep beep'.
General term for an animal's cry or call. To specify honking, combine with onomatopoeia or context.
あの鳥の鳴き声はクラクションみたいだ。
That bird's call sounds like a car horn.
船がブーと汽笛を鳴らした。
The ship honked its horn.
Similar to ブー but lighter; can be used for a softer honk or beep.
おもちゃのラッパをプーと吹いた。
He honked the toy trumpet.