Translation guide
The English word "sound" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical noise to the impression something gives. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents for English-speaking learners.
To refer to something you can hear, like a noise, a voice, or a musical tone.
The most common and general word for 'sound' or 'noise'. It refers to any audible sound, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
I heard a strange sound.
This guitar makes a nice sound.
Specifically refers to the sound of something moving or being moved, like footsteps, a door closing, or a rustling noise. Often used when you hear an unidentified noise.
I heard a sound from the next room.
Refers to the way a sound resonates or echoes, often with a nuance of how it affects you emotionally. Used for the quality of a sound, like the ring of a bell or the tone of a voice.
The sound of the bell is beautiful.
Technical term for 'audio' or 'voice sound', often used in contexts like audio recording, speech, or multimedia.
The sound cuts out.
To describe the overall impression, vibe, or feel of something, often based on what you hear or read.
The most natural way to express 'sound' when talking about an impression. It means 'feeling' or 'impression'.
That sounds good.
His story sounded strange.
Used in the pattern ～ようだ to mean 'it sounds like' or 'it seems like', based on what you've heard or observed.
A hearsay marker attached to verbs/adjectives to mean 'I hear that...' or 'it sounds like...'. Often used with だ/です.
Expresses conjecture based on reliable information or typical characteristics. 'It sounds like...' or 'I heard that...'.
That restaurant sounds good (I've heard it's good).
To express that something seems a certain way based on what you've been told or read.
To describe something as being in good shape, reliable, or valid, as in 'safe and sound' or 'a sound argument'.
Means 'sound', 'healthy', or 'wholesome'. Used for both physical and mental health, as well as for systems or organizations.
He is sound in mind and body.
An adjective meaning 'solid', 'reliable', or 'sound'. Used for arguments, plans, or people.
His argument is sound.
Means 'safe' or 'unharmed'. Often used in the phrase 'safe and sound'.
To express the action of causing a sound, like ringing, beeping, or making a noise.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to sound', 'to ring', or 'to make a sound'. Used for phones, bells, alarms, etc.
The phone is ringing.
Transitive verb meaning 'to sound' or 'to ring' something. You make something produce a sound.
A phrase meaning 'to produce a sound' or 'to make a noise'. General and versatile.
Please be quiet. Don't make a sound.
To express that something you hear or read reminds you of something you know.
Literally 'to have a memory of hearing'. The most natural way to say 'that sounds familiar'.
That name sounds familiar.
Means 'I've heard that somewhere before'. A bit more roundabout but very common.
While 音 (おと) is the direct translation for physical sound, English uses 'sound' in many idiomatic ways that require different Japanese expressions. For example, 'That sounds good' is not それはいい音だ but それはいい感じだ or それはいいね.
音 (おと) is a general sound or noise. 声 (こえ) specifically means 'voice' (human or animal). Don't use 音 for voices unless you mean the sound quality of the voice itself.
That sounds like a great idea!
Natural Japanese often drops 'sounds like' and just states the impression directly.
I didn't hear a sound.
Literally 'I couldn't hear anything'. More natural than 音がしなかった in many contexts.
It sounds like it's raining.
It sounds like he's not coming.
He came back safe and sound.
He sounded the horn.
That story sounds familiar.