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A2 noun 10 min read

鳴き声

nakigoe

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 鳴き声 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 鳴き声 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'nakigoe' as a simple noun that means 'the sound an animal makes'. You can use it with basic animals like 'inu' (dog), 'neko' (cat), and 'tori' (bird). At this stage, just focus on the pattern: [Animal] + no + nakigoe. For example, 'inu no nakigoe' means 'the dog's bark' or 'the dog's cry'. You will mostly use this word with simple verbs like 'kiku' (to listen) or 'kikoeru' (to hear). It is a very useful word for describing what you hear when you are outside in a park or at home with a pet. Remember that it is a noun, so it behaves like other nouns you know, such as 'hon' (book) or 'kuruma' (car).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'nakigoe' in more descriptive sentences. You can start adding adjectives to describe the sound, such as 'ookina nakigoe' (a loud cry) or 'chiisana nakigoe' (a small cry). You will also learn to distinguish between 'nakigoe' (animal sounds) and 'koe' (human voices). This is an important distinction in Japanese culture. You might use 'nakigoe' when talking about your hobbies, such as hiking or visiting the zoo. You should also be aware that different animals have different 'nakigoe' which are often described using onomatopoeia (like 'wan-wan' for dogs or 'nyaa-nyaa' for cats). This word helps you connect those sounds to the animal that makes them.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'nakigoe' in complex sentences and understanding its role in different contexts. You will encounter it in stories, news reports about nature, and more detailed conversations. You can use it with verbs like 'maneru' (to mimic) or 'bunseki suru' (to analyze). You should also learn the difference between '鳴き声' and its homophone '泣き声' (human crying), as using the wrong kanji is a common mistake at this level. You might also start to notice how 'nakigoe' is used metaphorically in literature to set a mood or indicate a season, such as the sound of cicadas in summer. Your ability to use the word with various particles (ga, wo, ni, kara) should be solid.

At the B2 level, you can use 'nakigoe' in professional or academic discussions regarding biology, animal behavior, or environmental science. You understand that 'nakigoe' is a general term and can use more specific alternatives like 'saezuri' (birdsong) or 'tooboe' (howling) when appropriate. You are also aware of the cultural significance of certain animal sounds in Japan, such as the appreciation for insect 'nakigoe' in autumn. You can explain the nuances of how an animal's cry might indicate its emotional state or physical needs. In writing, you use the correct kanji consistently and can appreciate the poetic use of the word in Japanese haiku and prose.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 'nakigoe' extends to its deep literary and historical roots. You can discuss how the perception of 'nakigoe' has changed in Japanese literature over centuries. You are capable of using the word in highly specialized contexts, such as bioacoustics or linguistic studies of onomatopoeia. You can use 'nakigoe' to describe subtle variations in sound and can distinguish between the 'nakigoe' of different species with precision. You are also familiar with idiomatic expressions and rare kanji compounds that include 'naku' or 'nakigoe'. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the subtle personification sometimes used in modern creative writing.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'nakigoe' and its place within the Japanese language system. You can analyze the phonological and semantic properties of the word and its components. You are familiar with classical Japanese texts where the 'nakigoe' of animals was used to convey complex human emotions (the 'pathos of things' or mono no aware). You can engage in high-level debates about animal rights or environmental conservation where the 'nakigoe' of endangered species is a central theme. You understand the most obscure synonyms and can use the word with perfect nuance in any register, from the most formal scientific paper to the most casual slang-filled conversation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

鳴き声 in 30 Seconds

A noun meaning animal cry, bird song, or insect sound.
Combines 'naku' (to cry/chirp) and 'koe' (voice).
Used exclusively for non-human biological vocalizations.
Commonly paired with 'ga kikoeru' (to be heard) or 'wo ageru' (to let out).

The Japanese word 鳴き声 (nakigoe) is a compound noun that serves as the primary way to describe the vocalizations of non-human animals. In English, we often have specific verbs and nouns for different animals—we speak of a dog's bark, a cat's meow, a bird's song, or a lion's roar. While Japanese also possesses specific onomatopoeic verbs for these actions, nakigoe acts as the comprehensive umbrella term for the 'voice' or 'cry' of any creature ranging from a tiny cricket to a massive whale.

Etymological Breakdown: The word is composed of two parts: 鳴き (naki), the stem of the verb 鳴く (naku), which means 'to cry' or 'to make a sound' (specifically for animals), and 声 (koe), which means 'voice'. Together, they literally translate to 'crying voice' or 'animal voice'.
The Human Distinction: Crucially, Japanese distinguishes between the 'voices' of humans and animals. Humans have a 声 (koe), but their vocalizations are never referred to as 鳴き声 unless the speaker is being poetic, metaphorical, or intentionally insulting (implying the human sounds like an animal). However, there is a homophone: 泣き声 (also nakigoe), written with the kanji for 'to weep', which specifically refers to the sound of a human crying.

In everyday life, you will use this word whenever you are identifying a sound in nature or describing the behavior of a pet. For instance, if you hear an unidentified sound in the woods, you might ask, 'What is that animal's nakigoe?' It is a neutral, descriptive term suitable for scientific contexts, casual conversation, and literary descriptions alike.

森の中から不思議な鳥の鳴き声が聞こえてきた。 (Mori no naka kara fushigi na tori no nakigoe ga kikoete kita.)
A mysterious bird's cry could be heard from inside the forest.

Furthermore, the word is frequently paired with specific onomatopoeia to explain exactly what kind of sound is being made. For example, 'Wan-wan to iu inu no nakigoe' (The 'wan-wan' cry of a dog). This structure allows speakers to categorize the sound before specifying its unique quality. It is a fundamental building block for anyone moving beyond basic Japanese, as it allows for the description of the natural world with precision.

このアプリは色々な動物の鳴き声を再生できます。 (Kono apuri wa iroirona doubutsu no nakigoe wo saisei dekimasu.)
This app can play the cries of various animals.

When discussing the volume, pitch, or frequency of animal sounds, nakigoe serves as the subject. You might talk about a 'loud nakigoe' (ookina nakigoe) or a 'sad-sounding nakigoe' (kanashige na nakigoe). Because Japanese culture has a deep literary tradition of 'hearing' the emotions of nature, this word often carries more weight than the simple English 'noise'. It suggests a communication, even if that communication is not in human language.

Register and Usage: Whether you are in a veterinarian's office, a biology classroom, or just walking in a park with a friend, nakigoe remains the standard term. It is neither overly formal nor slang-heavy. It is a precise noun that clarifies you are talking about a vocal sound produced by a living creature, rather than a mechanical sound (oto).

Using 鳴き声 (nakigoe) correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its interaction with various particles and verbs. The most common verb paired with it is kikoeru (to be audible/to hear), which describes the passive experience of hearing an animal sound.

夜中にカラスの鳴き声が聞こえて、目が覚めた。 (Yonaka ni karasu no nakigoe ga kikoete, me ga sameta.)
I woke up because I heard the cawing of a crow in the middle of the night.

Another essential construction is nakigoe wo ageru (to raise a cry/to let out a sound). This is used to describe the animal actively making the noise, often in a dramatic or sudden way. For instance, a lion letting out a roar would be 'houkou no nakigoe wo ageru'.

Common Grammatical Patterns: 1. [Animal] + no + nakigoe (The cry of [animal])
2. [Adjective] + nakigoe (A [adjective] cry)
3. Nakigoe + ga suru (There is the sound of a cry - used when the sound is faint or just beginning to be noticed)

When you want to compare animal sounds, you use the standard comparison structures in Japanese. 'The cat's cry is quieter than the dog's' would be 'Neko no nakigoe wa inu no nakigoe yori chiisai desu'. Note that in natural conversation, the second 'nakigoe' is often replaced by 'no' (one) to avoid repetition.

In descriptive writing, nakigoe is often modified by complex adjectives to convey emotion or atmosphere. Words like kanashige na (sad-looking), isandat (excited), or surudoi (sharp) are frequently used to give the reader a sensory experience of the sound.

その鳥の鳴き声は、まるで誰かが泣いているようだった。 (Sono tori no nakigoe wa, marude dareka ga naite iru you datta.)
That bird's cry was just as if someone were weeping.

In a scientific or technical context, you might see nakigoe used in compounds like nakigoe bunseki (analysis of animal calls). Here, the word remains the same, but the surrounding vocabulary becomes more specialized. Even in these high-level contexts, the fundamental meaning—the vocal output of an animal—remains consistent.

Particle Usage with Nakigoe: Wo: Used with verbs of action like 'maneru' (to mimic) or 'kiku' (to listen to).
Ga: Used with verbs of existence or perception like 'suru' (to make/have) or 'kikoeru' (to be heard).
Ni: Used when reacting to the sound, such as 'nakigoe ni odoroku' (to be surprised by the cry).

You will encounter 鳴き声 (nakigoe) in a wide variety of real-world situations in Japan. One of the most common places is in nature documentaries or educational television programs (like those on NHK), where experts discuss the migration patterns of birds or the social behaviors of whales.

テレビで珍しい猿の鳴き声を紹介していた。 (Terebi de mezurashii saru no nakigoe wo shoukai shite ita.)
They were introducing the cries of a rare monkey on television.

In a domestic setting, pet owners use the word constantly. If you visit a Japanese household with a dog or cat, the owner might apologize for the 'urusai nakigoe' (noisy barking/meowing) or comment on how the pet's 'nakigoe' changes when it is hungry. Pet shops and veterinary clinics also use this term on signage and in medical records.

Seasonal Contexts: In summer, the nakigoe of cicadas (semi) is an inescapable part of the Japanese soundscape. News reports often mention when the first cicada nakigoe is heard, signaling the official start of the sweltering summer. Similarly, in autumn, the 'mushi no nakigoe' (insects' cries) is a poetic theme celebrated in festivals and literature.

In the world of anime and video games, nakigoe is a vital term. For example, in the Pokémon series, the 'cries' of the creatures are referred to as nakigoe. When a Pokémon enters the screen, it lets out its signature sound, and the game interface or fan wikis will often categorize these sounds using this specific word.

Literature and poetry (especially Haiku) frequently utilize nakigoe to evoke a sense of place or season. A single 'uguisu no nakigoe' (the cry of a bush warbler) can instantly transport a Japanese reader to a crisp spring morning. The word acts as a bridge between the human observer and the natural world.

静かな村に、一番鶏の鳴き声が響き渡った。 (Shizuka na mura ni, ichiban-dori no nakigoe ga hibikiwatatta.)
The crowing of the first rooster echoed through the quiet village.

Finally, you will hear it in news reports concerning environmental issues. If a particular bird species is declining, researchers might mention that they are hearing fewer nakigoe in the wild, using it as a metric for the health of an ecosystem. In all these contexts, the word remains the standard, indispensable term for the sounds of life around us.

The most frequent mistake for learners of Japanese regarding 鳴き声 (nakigoe) is the confusion with its homophone, 泣き声 (nakigoe). While they sound identical, the kanji and the subjects they apply to are entirely different.

鳴き声 vs. 泣き声: 鳴き声: Used for animals, birds, and insects. (Kanji: 鳴 - 'to ring/chirp').
泣き声: Used for humans crying or weeping. (Kanji: 泣 - 'to weep').
Using '鳴き声' to describe a baby crying is a common error that sounds quite strange or even slightly offensive to native speakers.

Another common error is using nakigoe to describe mechanical or inanimate sounds. For example, if a door creaks or a car engine makes a noise, you must use the word oto (音), not nakigoe. Nakigoe is strictly reserved for biological vocalizations.

❌ 機械の鳴き声がする。
✅ 機械の音がする。
Don't use 'nakigoe' for machines; use 'oto'.

A subtle mistake involves the use of koe (voice) alone for animals. While technically an animal has a 'voice', in standard Japanese, saying 'inu no koe' (dog's voice) sounds slightly personified or poetic. In 99% of daily situations, nakigoe is the more natural and expected term.

Overusing General Terms: While nakigoe is a great general word, advanced learners should eventually learn specific onomatopoeia. For example, instead of just saying 'the cat's nakigoe is loud', saying 'the cat is meowing (nyaa-nyaa) loudly' is more descriptive. However, nakigoe is never 'wrong' for animals, just less specific.

Finally, watch out for the pitch accent. While both nakigoe (animal cry) and nakigoe (human weeping) are pronounced similarly, the context usually clarifies the meaning. However, in writing, using the wrong kanji is a major mistake that changes the entire meaning of the sentence from a nature scene to a tragic one.

While 鳴き声 (nakigoe) is the most versatile term for animal sounds, Japanese has several other words that can be used depending on the animal or the specific nature of the sound.

囀り (Sazameri / Saezuri): This specifically refers to the chirping or 'singing' of small birds. While you can call a bird's song a nakigoe, saezuri is more elegant and specifically implies a melodic, pleasant sound. It is often used in literature to describe spring mornings.
咆哮 (Houkou): This is a formal or literary word for a 'roar', typically used for large predators like lions, tigers, or even mythical dragons. It carries a much more powerful and intimidating connotation than the general nakigoe.
遠吠え (Tooboe): This specifically refers to the howling of wolves or dogs. The word combines 'tooku' (far) and 'hoe' (bark), literally meaning 'barking at a distance'.

Another related word is ne (音), which is the poetic reading of the character for 'sound'. In phrases like 'mushi no ne' (the sound of insects), it treats the insect's nakigoe as a musical note or a beautiful tone rather than just a biological cry. This is a very common expression in Japanese poetry and seasonal greetings.

秋の夜長に虫の音を聴く。 (Aki no yonaga ni mushi no ne wo kiku.)
Listening to the sound of insects during the long autumn nights.

For domestic animals, you might also hear koe (voice) being used when the speaker feels a close emotional connection to the animal. A dog owner might say 'Uchi no ko no koe' (My child's voice - referring to the dog). However, in any descriptive or objective context, nakigoe remains the standard. Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker who appreciates the specific textures of Japanese vocabulary.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Japan, the distinction between 'naku' (鳴く - animal sound) and 'naku' (泣く - human weeping) was already present, showing a very early linguistic separation between human and animal expression.

Pronunciation Guide

UK nakiɡoe

US nakiɡoe

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'nakigoe', the pitch usually stays relatively flat (Heiban style), but may vary by dialect.

Rhymes With

Koe (voice) Amagoe (praying for rain) Utagoe (singing voice) Yobigoe (a call/shout) Ubugoe (first cry of a baby) Hana-goe (nasal voice) Warai-goe (laughter) Osoro-goe (fearful voice)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'goe' as 'go' (the English word).
Confusing the pitch with 'nakigoe' (human crying), though they are very similar.
Elongating the 'i' in 'naki'.
Stress-accenting the first syllable like English 'NA-kigoe'.
Mispronouncing the 'g' as a soft 'j' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji for 'naki' is slightly complex but common.

Writing 3/5

The 'naki' kanji (鳴) requires practice to balance the 'bird' and 'mouth' parts.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Must distinguish from '泣き声' (human crying) through context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

声 (koe) 鳴く (naku) 動物 (doubutsu) 鳥 (tori) 聞く (kiku)

Learn Next

囀り (saezuri) 遠吠え (tooboe) 咆哮 (houkou) 音 (oto) 響く (hibiku)

Advanced

擬音語 (giongo) 擬態語 (gitaigo) 聞きなし (kikinashi)

Grammar to Know

Compound Nouns (Stem + Noun)

鳴き (stem of 鳴く) + 声 = 鳴き声

Potential Form with Perception

鳴き声が聞こえる (The cry can be heard)

Adjective Modification

うるさい鳴き声 (Noisy cry)

Quoting Onomatopoeia

「ニャー」という鳴き声 (A meow-ing cry)

Particle 'Ga' for Natural Phenomena

鳴き声がする (There is a cry)

Examples by Level

犬の鳴き声が聞こえます。

I can hear a dog's bark.

Uses 'ga kikoeru' for passive hearing.

猫の鳴き声は可愛いです。

The cat's meow is cute.

Simple noun + wa + adjective.

あれは何の鳴き声ですか？

What is that cry?

Asking for identification of a sound.

鳥の鳴き声で起きました。

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping.

Particle 'de' indicates the cause/means.

大きい鳴き声ですね。

That's a loud cry, isn't it?

Adjective 'ookii' modifying 'nakigoe'.

鳴き声をまねします。

I will mimic the animal sound.

'Wo manesuru' means to mimic.

にわとりの鳴き声は「コケコッコー」です。

A rooster's cry is 'cock-a-doodle-doo'.

Quoting an onomatopoeia with 'wa ... desu'.

静かな鳴き声です。

It is a quiet cry.

Adjective 'shizuka na' modifying the noun.

外でカラスの鳴き声がしています。

There is the sound of crows outside.

'Ga shite iru' indicates a continuous sound being perceived.

色々な虫の鳴き声を聞きました。

I heard the cries of various insects.

Plurality is implied by 'iroiro na'.

その鳥の鳴き声はとてもきれいです。

That bird's song is very beautiful.

Standard descriptive sentence.

鳴き声がうるさくて、眠れません。

The cries are so noisy I can't sleep.

Te-form used to show reason/cause.

動物園でライオンの鳴き声を聞きました。

I heard a lion's roar at the zoo.

Location 'de' + object 'wo' + verb 'kiku'.

この鳴き声は、どの動物のものですか？

Which animal does this cry belong to?

Use of 'mono' to avoid repeating 'nakigoe'.

猿の鳴き声が山に響いています。

The monkey's cries are echoing in the mountains.

'Hibiku' means to echo/resonate.

子猫の細い鳴き声が聞こえた。

I heard the thin (weak) meow of a kitten.

'Hosoi' (thin) used to describe a high-pitched or weak sound.

赤ちゃんの泣き声と鳥の鳴き声を間違えないでください。

Please don't confuse a baby's crying with a bird's chirping.

Contrasting '泣き声' and '鳴き声'.

この鳥の鳴き声は、季節によって変わります。

This bird's song changes depending on the season.

'Yotte' means 'depending on'.

不気味な鳴き声が森の奥から聞こえてきた。

An eerie cry came from deep within the forest.

'Bukimi na' means eerie or creepy.

鳴き声を頼りに、行方不明の犬を見つけた。

Relying on its barks, we found the missing dog.

'Tayori ni' means relying on/using as a lead.

彼は動物の鳴き声の真似がとても上手だ。

He is very good at mimicking animal sounds.

'Mane' (mimicry) + 'ga jouzu' (is good at).

そのカエルの鳴き声は、雨が降る前兆だと言われている。

That frog's croaking is said to be a sign that it will rain.

'Zenchou' means omen/sign.

鳴き声を聞くだけで、鳥の種類が分かりますか？

Can you tell the species of bird just by listening to its cry?

'Dake de' means 'just by'.

寂しげな鳴き声が、夕暮れの町に流れていた。

A lonely-sounding cry flowed through the town at sunset.

'Sabishige na' means appearing lonely.

クジラの鳴き声を録音するために、海へ出た。

We went out to sea to record whale songs.

'Tame ni' indicates purpose.

その鳴き声は、仲間への警告を意味している。

That cry signifies a warning to its companions.

'Keikoku' means warning.

都会では、セミの鳴き声が騒音に感じられることもある。

In the city, the buzzing of cicadas can sometimes be felt as noise pollution.

'Souon' means noise (unwanted sound).

鳴き声の周波数を分析することで、個体を識別する。

By analyzing the frequency of the cries, we identify individual animals.

'Shuuhasuu' means frequency.

夜の静寂を切り裂くような、鋭い鳴き声が響いた。

A sharp cry echoed, as if tearing through the silence of the night.

'Seijaku wo kirisaku' is a literary expression.

求愛行動の一環として、オスが複雑な鳴き声を発する。

As part of courtship behavior, the male emits a complex cry.

'Kyuuai' means courtship.

その鳴き声には、どこか哀愁が漂っている。

There is a hint of melancholy drifting in that cry.

'Aishuu ga tadayou' means melancholy is in the air.

鳴き声の特徴から、この鳥は渡り鳥だと推測される。

Based on the characteristics of its cry, it is inferred that this bird is migratory.

'Suisoku' means inference/conjecture.

万葉集には、鳥の鳴き声を愛でる歌が数多く収められている。

The Manyoshu contains many poems that appreciate the cries of birds.

'Aderu' is a refined verb for 'to appreciate/love'.

その鳴き声のバリエーションは、驚くほど多岐にわたっている。

The variations in those cries are surprisingly diverse.

'Takigawa' means diverse/wide-ranging.

鳴き声に含まれる感情の機微を読み取るのは容易ではない。

It is not easy to read the subtleties of emotion contained in an animal's cry.

'Kibi' means subtleties/inner workings.

人里離れた山中で、聞いたこともないような獣の鳴き声に遭遇した。

In the remote mountains, I encountered the cry of a beast unlike anything I'd ever heard.

'Hitozato hanareta' means far from human habitation.

鳴き声が途絶えたことは、生態系の異変を示唆している。

The cessation of the cries suggests an abnormality in the ecosystem.

'Shisa suru' means to suggest/imply.

彼のバイオリンの音色は、時に鳥の鳴き声のように軽やかだ。

The tone of his violin is sometimes as light as a bird's song.

Metaphorical use comparing music to 'nakigoe'.

鳴き声の反響を利用して、洞窟内での位置を把握するコウモリ。

Bats that grasp their position within a cave using the echo of their cries.

'Hankyou' means echo/reverberation.

その鳴き声は、古来より吉兆として尊ばれてきた。

That cry has been revered as a good omen since ancient times.

'Kitchou' means a lucky omen.

鳴き声の音響学的構造を詳細に記述した論文が発表された。

A paper describing the acoustical structure of animal vocalizations in detail was published.

'Onkyougaku-teki' means acoustical.

環境音の中に溶け込むような、微かな鳴き声を捉えるのは至難の業だ。

Capturing a faint cry that blends into the ambient noise is an extremely difficult feat.

'Shinan no waza' means a Herculean task.

鳴き声という非言語的コミュニケーションの極致を、この映像は捉えている。

This footage captures the pinnacle of non-verbal communication known as animal cries.

'Kyokuchi' means pinnacle/zenith.

その鳴き声の響きには、峻烈な自然界の掟が凝縮されているかのようだ。

The resonance of that cry seems to condense the harsh laws of the natural world.

'Shunretsu' means harsh/severe.

鳴き声の変遷を辿ることで、種族の進化の過程を紐解く。

By tracing the transition of vocalizations, we unravel the process of the species' evolution.

'Himotoku' means to unravel/elucidate.

詩人は、虫の鳴き声に宇宙の真理を聴き取ろうとした。

The poet tried to hear the truth of the universe in the cries of insects.

Highly abstract and philosophical usage.

鳴き声の同調現象は、集団の結束力を高める役割を果たす。

The phenomenon of synchronized vocalization plays a role in increasing the group's cohesion.

'Douchou genshou' means synchronization phenomenon.

鳴き声の残響が消え入る瞬間に、えもいわれぬ静寂が訪れた。

At the moment the reverberation of the cry faded away, an indescribable silence arrived.

'Emo iwarenu' means indescribable/ineffable.

Common Collocations

鳴き声を上げる

鳴き声を聞く

鳴き声が聞こえる

鳴き声を真似る

鳴き声を録音する

鳴き声を分析する

鳴き声が響く

鳴き声が絶える

不思議な鳴き声

鋭い鳴き声

Common Phrases

虫の鳴き声

— The sound of insects, often associated with autumn in Japan.

虫の鳴き声を聞きながら眠る。

鳥の鳴き声

— Birdsong or bird calls, a general term for any avian sound.

鳥の鳴き声で目が覚めた。

犬の鳴き声

— The barking or whining of a dog.

隣の犬の鳴き声がうるさい。

一番鶏の鳴き声

— The first crowing of a rooster at dawn.

一番鶏の鳴き声が聞こえる。

猫の鳴き声

— A cat's meow or cry.

猫の鳴き声が外でする。

セミの鳴き声

— The buzzing of cicadas, synonymous with Japanese summer.

セミの鳴き声が降り注ぐ。

カエルの鳴き声

— The croaking of frogs, often heard in rice paddies.

カエルの鳴き声がにぎやかだ。

獣の鳴き声

— The cry of a wild beast or animal.

暗闇から獣の鳴き声がした。

悲しい鳴き声

— A sad-sounding animal cry.

迷子の仔犬が悲しい鳴き声を上げている。

聞き慣れた鳴き声

— A familiar animal sound.

それは聞き慣れたカラスの鳴き声だった。

Often Confused With

鳴き声 vs 泣き声

Identical pronunciation but means human crying. Use 鳴き声 for animals.

鳴き声 vs 音 (oto)

Oto is for inanimate objects (machines, wind). Nakigoe is only for living things.

鳴き声 vs 声 (koe)

Koe is primarily for humans. Using it for animals is slightly personifying.

Idioms & Expressions

"鶴の一声"

— The voice of authority that settles an argument, like a crane's singular loud cry.

社長の鶴の一声で決定した。

Formal/Idiomatic

"虫の音を愛でる"

— To appreciate the sound of insects as music, a uniquely Japanese cultural trait.

日本人は古くから虫の音を愛でてきた。

Cultural

"鶯の谷渡り"

— The beautiful song of a bush warbler as it moves between valleys.

鶯の谷渡りを聞きに山へ行く。

Literary

"鶏鳴狗盗"

— Using petty tricks or people with minor skills to achieve a goal (lit. rooster crow and dog theft).

彼は鶏鳴狗盗の類だ。

Classical

"雁の鳴き声"

— Used in poetry to signify autumn and the departure of friends.

雁の鳴き声に故郷を想う。

Poetic

"梟の鳴く夜"

— An ominous or mysterious night (the night the owl cries).

梟の鳴く夜に事件が起きた。

Literary

"駒のいななき"

— The neighing of a horse, often used in historical epics.

遠くに駒のいななきを聞く。

Archaic

"虫が鳴く"

— A simple way to say insects are chirping, often used to set a peaceful scene.

庭で虫が鳴いている。

Neutral

"猫のなで声"

— A coaxing or wheedling voice, like a cat purring for food.

彼女は猫のなで声で頼み事をした。

Idiomatic

"閑古鳥が鳴く"

— To be quiet and deserted (like a place where only the cuckoo cries).

あの店は閑古鳥が鳴いている。

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

鳴き声 vs 鳴る (naru)

Same kanji root.

Naru is a verb for objects ringing (phones, bells). Naku is for animals.

Denwa ga naru (Phone rings) vs Tori ga naku (Bird sings).

鳴き声 vs 叫び (sakebi)

Both are vocal sounds.

Sakebi is a shout or scream, usually human. Nakigoe is the natural cry of an animal.

Tasukete! to sakebu (Shout help!)

鳴き声 vs 囀り (saezuri)

Both for birds.

Saezuri is specific to melodic singing. Nakigoe is any sound the bird makes.

Uguisu no saezuri.

鳴き声 vs 話声 (hanashigoe)

Both involve voices.

Hanashigoe is the sound of people talking. Nakigoe is animals.

Tonari no hanashigoe.

鳴き声 vs 産声 (ubugoe)

Refers to a 'cry'.

Ubugoe is specifically a newborn baby's first cry. Nakigoe is for animals.

Aka-chan no ubugoe.

Sentence Patterns

[Animal] no nakigoe ga kikoeru.

Tori no nakigoe ga kikoeru.

[Adjective] nakigoe desu ne.

Ookina nakigoe desu ne.

Nakigoe wo kiku to, [Season] wo omoidasu.

Semi no nakigoe wo kiku to, natsu wo omoidasu.

Nakigoe ni yotte [Animal] wo shikibetsu suru.

Nakigoe ni yotte tori wo shikibetsu suru.

Nakigoe ga [Place] ni hibikiwatatta.

Shika no nakigoe ga tanima ni hibikiwatatta.

Nakigoe no henssen wo tadoru.

Nakigoe no henssen wo tadoru kenkyuu.

Nakigoe ga urusai.

Inu no nakigoe ga urusai.

Nakigoe no mane wo suru.

Karasu no nakigoe no mane wo suru.

Word Family

Nouns

鳴き声 (animal cry)

鳴き (chirping/crying)

鳴き真似 (mimicking animal sounds)

Verbs

鳴く (to cry/chirp - for animals)

鳴らす (to ring/sound something)

鳴り響く (to resound)

Adjectives

鳴き交わす (crying to each other - verb used as adj. phrase)

声 (voice)

音 (sound)

囀り (birdsong)

遠吠え (howl)

雄叫び (roar)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in nature-related discussions and pet care.

Common Mistakes

Using 'nakigoe' for a crying person. → Using '泣き声' for a person.
The kanji 鳴 is for animals only.
Using 'nakigoe' for a bell ringing. → Using 'oto' or 'ne' for a bell.
Inanimate objects do not have 'nakigoe'.
Saying 'Inu no naku' as a noun. → Saying 'Inu no nakigoe'.
Naku is a verb, nakigoe is the noun form.
Confusing 'nakigoe' with 'koe' for animals. → Using 'nakigoe' as the standard term.
While 'koe' is understood, 'nakigoe' is more natural for animals.
Misspelling 'nakigoe' as 'nakikoe'. → Writing 'nakigoe' (voiced 'g').
The 'k' in 'koe' changes to 'g' when compounded (Rendaku).

Tips

Noun Status

Always remember 'nakigoe' is a noun. You need a verb like 'suru' or 'kikoeru' to complete the thought.

Insect Appreciation

In Japan, listening to insect 'nakigoe' is a relaxing activity, unlike in many Western countries where it's considered noise.

Kanji Choice

The 'mouth' (口) in 鳴 shows it's a sound, and the 'bird' (鳥) shows its origin. Easy to remember!

Onomatopoeia

Combine 'nakigoe' with words like 'wan-wan' or 'nyaa' to be more specific.

Context Clues

If you are in a forest, it's 鳴き声. If you are in a hospital, it's likely 泣き声.

Birdsong

For beautiful bird sounds, try using 'saezuri' instead of 'nakigoe' to sound more advanced.

Pet Owners

If your pet is noisy, apologize using 'nakigoe ga urusakute...'

Ancient Roots

The word has been used for over a thousand years to describe the natural world.

Vs. Oto

Never use 'nakigoe' for a car or a door. Only for living things.

CEFR Level

This is an A2 word, but its nuances extend all the way to C2. Master the basics first!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a bird (鳥) with a big mouth (口) making a sound. That's the kanji 鳴. Add 'voice' (声), and you have 'animal voice'.

Visual Association

Picture a 'Noisy Animal Kanji' (鳴) standing next to a 'Speaker' (声).

Word Web

Animal Bird Sound Voice Nature Forest Meow Bark

Challenge

Go to a park and list three different 'nakigoe' you hear using the pattern '[Animal] no nakigoe'.

Word Origin

Derived from the verb 'naku' (鳴く), which has been used since Old Japanese to describe the sounds of birds and animals. The kanji '鳴' combines 'mouth' (口) and 'bird' (鳥), originally specifically referring to birdsong.

Original meaning: The voice or sound produced by a bird.

Japonic / Japanese.

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use '鳴き声' for a human unless you intend to be derogatory or highly metaphorical.

English uses specific verbs (bark, meow, chirp). Using 'nakigoe' is more like saying 'the sound of the animal'.

The 'nakigoe' of Pokémon is a major part of the franchise's identity. Traditional Haiku often use 'nakigoe' of cicadas or bush warblers. NHK nature documentaries famously feature 'nakigoe' in their titles.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In the Woods

何の鳴き声？
鳥の鳴き声がきれい
遠くで獣の鳴き声がした
虫の鳴き声がうるさい

Pet Ownership

鳴き声がうるさくてすみません
鳴き声が変わった
子犬の鳴き声
鳴き声を真似してみて

Zoo Visit

ライオンの鳴き声は迫力がある
珍しい鳥の鳴き声
鳴き声を聞いてみよう
鳴き声の解説パネル

Summer Season

セミの鳴き声が聞こえる
夏らしい鳴き声だね
鳴き声で暑さが増す
夜の虫の鳴き声

Scientific Study

鳴き声のパターン
鳴き声による個体識別
鳴き声の録音データ
鳴き声の周波数

Conversation Starters

"今、何の鳴き声が聞こえましたか？ (What animal cry did you just hear?)"

"一番好きな鳥の鳴き声は何ですか？ (What is your favorite bird song?)"

"あなたの国の犬の鳴き声はどう表現しますか？ (How do you express a dog's bark in your country?)"

"夜中に動物の鳴き声で起きたことがありますか？ (Have you ever been woken up by an animal's cry in the middle of the night?)"

"虫の鳴き声を「音楽」と感じますか？ (Do you feel insect cries are 'music'?)"

Journal Prompts

今日聞いた動物の鳴き声について書いてください。 (Write about the animal sounds you heard today.)

都会の音と田舎の鳴き声、どちらが好きですか？ (Which do you prefer, city sounds or the animal cries of the countryside?)

もし動物の鳴き声の意味が分かったら、何をしたいですか？ (If you could understand animal cries, what would you want to do?)

日本のセミの鳴き声についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the sound of Japanese cicadas?)

一番印象に残っている動物の鳴き声を説明してください。 (Describe the animal cry that has left the strongest impression on you.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use '泣き声' (same pronunciation, different kanji) for a baby. Using '鳴き声' implies the baby is an animal.

Yes, it is very common for insects like cicadas and crickets in Japan.

'Naku' is the verb (to cry), while 'nakigoe' is the noun (the cry/sound itself).

Generally no, as most fish don't make vocal sounds, but if a species does make a noise, 'nakigoe' could be used in a biological context.

It is written as なきごえ.

It is a neutral word used in all levels of formality.

Yes, mythical creatures' sounds are referred to as 'nakigoe'.

Usually 'ga' (鳴き声が聞こえる).

No, wing sounds are 'ha-oto' (羽音). 'Nakigoe' is only for vocalizations.

Because of the traditional appreciation for the sounds of the seasons, particularly birds and insects.