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 car behind me honked.
A more formal way to say 'sound the horn'. 警笛 means 'warning horn/whistle'.
The driver honked to get attention.
Onomatopoeia for a car horn sound, often used in casual speech or children's language.
The car went 'beep beep'.
The loud, harsh sound made by a goose or other large bird.
Any loud, blaring noise similar to a horn, such as a factory whistle or a person imitating the sound.
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.
The honking is annoying.
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.
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.
He honked the toy trumpet.