General term for any audible sound, including both pleasant and unpleasant noises.
I heard a strange sound from the next room.
この機械は音がうるさい。
This machine makes a loud noise.
Refers to a single note in music, as opposed to a melody or chord.
ピアノで最初の音を弾いてみて。
Try playing the first note on the piano.
この曲は高い音が続く。
This piece has a series of high notes.
Archaic or literary use, appearing in fixed expressions like 音に聞く (to be famous) or 音に聞こえた (renowned). Not used in modern everyday speech.
彼の武勇は音に聞こえている。
His bravery is widely renowned.
その美しさは音に聞くほどだった。
Her beauty was as famous as they say.
The phone rang.
A high note from the piano rang out.
I muted the TV.
The sound of waves can be heard from far away.
サウンド is a loanword often used in technical, musical, or branding contexts, while 音 is the everyday native Japanese word for sound.
音 is the general word for any sound, whereas 音声 is specifically the audio signal or voice component, especially in media and electronics.
音 is the general word for sound itself, while 音量 refers specifically to how loud that sound is.
音 is the sound itself that is heard, while 音源 is the device, object, or point that produces or originates that sound.
flapping sound; buzz; hum · whizz; whoosh
sound of water
sound of footsteps; walking sound
sound of someone nearby; sound of a person approaching
sound of a vibrating bowstring
plectrum sound; sound of a pick
hammering sound; sound of a hammer
sound of waves
clang of hoofs; sound of a koto
whistle of an arrow; sound of an arrow in flight
sound of gunfire
sound of rustling leaves
sound of a sword guard stopping a blade