警鐘
Meanings
1
alarm bell; fire bell
A physical bell that sounds an alarm, such as a fire bell or warning bell. Often used in contexts like 警鐘を鳴らす (to sound an alarm bell).
The fire alarm bell rang out.
2
warning; wake-up call
Figurative use: a strong warning or alert about a danger or problem. Commonly appears in the phrase 警鐘を鳴らす (to sound a warning).
Experts are sounding the alarm about global warming.
Usage patterns
- 警鐘が鳴るthe alarm bell rings
The alarm bell rang to signal the fire.
- 〈事〉への警鐘a warning about a matter or issue
This book serves as a warning about environmental destruction.
Expressions
- 警鐘を鳴らすring an alarm bell · sound a warning; raise the alarm; send a wake-up call