Translation guide
How to express 'loudly' in Japanese, covering volume, manner, and intensity.
Describing an action done at a high volume, such as speaking, laughing, or playing music.
Most common and neutral way to say 'in a loud voice'. Used for speaking, shouting, laughing, etc.
彼は大声で話した。
He spoke loudly.
大声で笑わないでください。
Please don't laugh loudly.
Describing someone or something that is showy, flashy, or ostentatious, like loud clothes or a loud personality.
Means 'flashily' or 'gaudily'. Used for clothing, makeup, or behavior that is attention-grabbing.
彼女は派手に着飾っていた。
She was dressed loudly.
Expressing that something is done with great intensity, emphasis, or force, like 'loudly proclaiming' or 'loudly clear'.
Directly translating 'loudly' as うるさく (urusaku) often means 'annoyingly' or 'noisily' and can sound rude. Use 大声で for neutral volume.
Implies speaking in a raised voice, often with a nuance of insistence or agitation. Slightly more formal/literary.
彼は声高に反論した。
He objected loudly.
Means 'noisily' or 'boisterously'. Used for disruptive or rowdy loudness, not just volume.
子供たちが騒々しく遊んでいる。
The children are playing loudly.
Specifically for electronic devices or music: 'at high volume'. Not for voices.
音楽を大音量でかける。
Play music loudly.
Behave loudly.
Stronger negative nuance: 'gaudily', 'tackily'. Implies poor taste.
けばけばしく装飾された部屋。
A loudly decorated room.
Colloquial, often used for colors or designs that are 'loud' or 'garish'.
そのシャツはどぎつい色だ。
That shirt is a loud color.
その事実ははっきりと物語っている。
The facts speak loudly.
Idiomatic: 'at the top of one's voice', used figuratively to emphasize a statement.
声を大にして言いたい。
I want to say it loudly.