Translation guide
The English verb "intone" means to say something in a slow, serious, and often monotonous way, or to recite with a particular musical pitch. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the best choice depends on the context: chanting, reciting, speaking solemnly, or using a specific tone of voice.
Expressing the act of chanting or reciting something rhythmically and monotonously, often in a religious or ceremonial context.
Used for reciting or chanting something aloud, especially sutras, prayers, or spells. It implies a rhythmic, often monotonous delivery.
僧侶がお経を唱えた。
The monk intoned a sutra.
A more formal or literary term for chanting or reciting, often used for poetry or religious texts. It emphasizes the musical or rhythmic quality.
彼は古い詩を詠唱した。
He intoned an ancient poem.
To recite or chant, especially poetry or Noh texts, with a particular intonation. It has a classical or artistic nuance.
彼は漢詩を吟じた。
He intoned a Chinese poem.
Describing a way of speaking that is deliberate, solemn, and lacking variation in pitch, often to convey gravity or boredom.
Literally "to speak in a voice without intonation." This is the most natural way to describe speaking monotonously.
彼は抑揚のない声でスピーチをした。
He intoned his speech in a flat voice.
Means "to speak in a monotone." It emphasizes the lack of variation, often with a negative connotation of being boring.
先生は一本調子で講義をした。
The teacher intoned the lecture in a monotone.
To speak solemnly or gravely. It captures the serious, dignified aspect of intoning, but not necessarily the monotone.
裁判官は判決を厳かに告げた。
The judge intoned the verdict solemnly.
To read aloud in a clear, resonant voice. It can imply a certain monotonous or rhythmic quality when reading official documents.
彼は声明文を朗々と読み上げた。
He intoned the statement in a sonorous voice.
Referring to the act of producing a musical note or speaking with a specific pitch, often in singing or chanting.
Literally "to vocalize with a pitch." This is a technical description used in music or speech training.
歌手は最初の音を正確に音程をつけて発声した。
The singer intoned the first note precisely.
To speak in a sing-song manner. It captures the melodic aspect of intoning, but may sound less serious.
彼女は歌うように話しながら、子供たちに物語を聞かせた。
She intoned the story to the children in a sing-song voice.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of "intone." Translating it directly as イントーンする is not natural. Instead, choose a phrase based on the specific nuance: chanting, monotone speech, or solemn delivery.
唱える is the common word for chanting sutras or spells. 詠唱する is more literary and often used for poetry or artistic recitation. For everyday descriptions of monotonous speech, use phrases like 抑揚のない声で話す.