Translation guide
How to express 'raise one's voice' in Japanese, covering literal loudness, speaking up, and emotional outbursts.
Please raise your voice so that people in the back seats can hear you.
To project one's voice, often used in contexts like singing, acting, or public speaking.
On stage, you have to project your voice.
A more casual, modern way using the loanword 'volume'. Common in everyday conversation.
The TV was loud, so I raised my voice.
To express one's opinion or protest, often in a situation where one might otherwise stay silent.
Literally 'raise one's voice', used figuratively for speaking out against injustice or making one's opinion heard.
More and more people are raising their voices against injustice.
A more general phrase meaning 'to state one's opinion'. Not as strong as 'raise one's voice', but natural for everyday situations.
Literally 'make one's voice big', meaning to speak out strongly or emphatically. Often used in formal or written contexts.
To raise one's voice due to anger, frustration, or strong emotion, often in a conflict.
To shout angrily; the most common word for yelling at someone in anger.
The boss raised his voice and yelled at his subordinate.
To raise one's voice in an agitated or rough manner, often during an argument.
He got excited and raised his voice.
A more intense, rough way of shouting, often implying a loud, harsh voice. Can be seen as vulgar.
The English phrase 'raise one's voice' can be translated literally as 声を上げる, but this often means 'speak out' rather than simply increasing volume. For volume, use 声を大きくする. For anger, use 怒鳴る or 声を荒げる.
Please speak out. (Not 'Please speak louder.')
声を大きくする is purely about volume. 声を上げる is about making your voice heard in a social or protest sense. Using 声を上げる when you mean 'speak louder' can cause confusion.
Please speak louder.
We should speak out more.
I gathered the courage to speak up at the meeting.
He raised his voice to appeal for the need for environmental protection.
A drunk was shouting loudly in the street.