Translation guide
The English verb 'resound' describes a sound that fills a space, echoes, or becomes widely known. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these ideas, from literal echoing to figurative fame.
To describe a sound that fills and echoes within a room, hall, or area.
The most common and versatile verb for sound reverberating or echoing. Can be used for voices, music, footsteps, etc.
The singing voice resounded through the hall.
Footsteps echo in the hallway.
Emphasizes a loud, continuous ringing or resounding, often for bells, alarms, or music.
The sound of the bell resounded throughout the town.
More technical/literary term for echoing or reverberation. Often used for physical echoes in large spaces.
The shout resounded among the mountains.
To describe a place that is full of a particular sound, often continuously.
Pattern meaning 'to resound through/over' a place. The subject is the sound, and the place is marked with に.
Cheers resounded throughout the stadium.
The sound of sirens resounds through the night city.
Literally 'to be filled with', used for spaces filled with sound. More literary.
The venue resounded with applause.
To describe news, reputation, or a name that spreads and becomes famous.
Often used for fame or reputation that 'resounds' far and wide. Can be used for sounds too, but here for figurative fame.
His name resounds throughout the world.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to make one's name resound' or 'to win fame'. Often used in past tense.
Means 'to become widely known', often for news or rumors. Less poetic than .
To express that praises, criticisms, or declarations are made loudly and publicly.
Use verbs like 叫ぶ (shout) or 声高に言う (say loudly) to convey that something is proclaimed resoundingly.
The crowd resounded with cries of 'Freedom!'
To praise highly, to extol. Implies resounding praise.
響く is the everyday word for echoing or reverberating. 反響する is more formal and often used in written descriptions or technical contexts (e.g., acoustics). For most situations, 響く is the best choice.
English often says 'the room resounded with laughter.' In Japanese, avoid direct translations like '部屋は笑い声で響いた' (unnatural). Instead, use patterns like '部屋に笑い声が響き渡った' (Laughter resounded through the room) or '部屋は笑い声で満ちた' (The room was filled with laughter).
He made his name resound at a young age.
The news resounded in no time.
His achievements were resoundingly praised.