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B1 noun #4,000 most common 7 min read

騒音

souon Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 騒音 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 騒音 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'souon' means 'noise' and it is a bad thing. Think of it as 'big, bad sound.' You might use it to say 'The noise is loud' or 'I don't like noise.' It is a noun, so you use it like 'apple' or 'car.' For example, 'Souon ga kirai desu' (I hate noise). You will see this word on signs in Japan, especially in quiet places like libraries or apartments. It's important to know because Japan is a country that values silence in public, so seeing this word usually means 'Please be quiet.'

At the A2 level, you can start using 'souon' in simple sentences about your environment. You might talk about 'hikouki no souon' (airplane noise) or 'machi no souon' (town noise). You can combine it with basic adjectives like 'ookii' (big/loud) or verbs like 'arimasu' (there is). You should begin to understand that 'souon' is different from 'oto' (sound). 'Oto' is neutral, but 'souon' is always a nuisance. If a neighbor is playing music too loud at night, that is 'souon.' If you hear a bird singing, that is 'oto.'

At the B1 level, you should be able to discuss 'souon' as a social or environmental issue. This includes using phrases like 'souon ni nayamasareru' (to be troubled by noise) or 'souon taisaku' (noise countermeasures). You might use it when complaining to a landlord or discussing urban problems in a classroom setting. You should understand the nuance of 'souon' as a form of 'kougai' (pollution). You can also start using it with more complex grammar, such as 'souon no sei de nemurenai' (I can't sleep because of the noise).

At the B2 level, you can use 'souon' in technical or semi-formal contexts. You might read about 'souon kisei' (noise regulations) or 'souon-kei' (sound level meters). You can distinguish between 'souon' and 'zatsuon' (static/background noise) or 'kensou' (hustle and bustle). You should be able to write an essay about the impact of 'souon' on mental health or urban planning. You understand the legal implications of 'souon' in Japan and the cultural importance of avoiding being a source of 'souon' to maintain social harmony.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the legal and sociological nuances of 'souon.' You can discuss 'souon soshou' (noise lawsuits) and the specific decibel levels permitted in different zoning areas of Japan. You can use the word metaphorically in high-level literature or business contexts, though 'zatsuon' is more common for metaphorical 'noise.' You understand the historical context of 'souon' as a major public grievance during Japan's rapid economic growth and how it shaped modern building standards and soundproofing technology.

At the C2 level, you can engage in expert-level discourse regarding 'souon.' This includes acoustic engineering discussions, the psychological effects of low-frequency 'souon,' and the philosophy of silence in Japanese culture versus the reality of urban 'souon.' You can navigate complex legal documents regarding noise disputes and provide nuanced translations that capture the subtle difference between 'souon,' 'kensou,' and 'bakuon' in various literary registers. You are fully aware of the socio-political dimensions of noise pollution and its regulation in global and local contexts.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

騒音 in 30 Seconds

Souon means noise that is annoying or disruptive.
It is a noun and always carries a negative connotation.
Commonly used for urban, construction, or neighbor issues.
It is distinct from 'oto' (neutral sound) and 'zatsuon' (static).

The Japanese word 騒音 (そうおん - souon) is a noun that translates directly to 'noise' in English, but it carries a specific weight often associated with unpleasantness, disturbance, or environmental pollution. At its core, it is composed of two kanji characters: 騒 (sou), which means 'boisterous,' 'disturb,' or 'agitation,' and 音 (on), meaning 'sound.' Together, they describe sound that is not merely loud, but sound that is disruptive to the peace of others. In Japanese society, where harmony (wa) and consideration for neighbors (meiwaku) are paramount, the concept of souon is frequently discussed in the context of urban living, apartment etiquette, and legal regulations.

Environmental Context: In Japanese law, souon is categorized as one of the seven major types of environmental pollution (kougai). This includes noise from factories, construction sites, road traffic, and aircraft. When a sound crosses the threshold of being a mere 'oto' (sound) and becomes a 'souon,' it implies that it has reached a level that is harmful to health or disruptive to daily activities like sleep or conversation.

都会の生活では、絶え間ない騒音に悩まされることが多い。(In city life, one is often troubled by constant noise.)

Social Etiquette: In the context of 'manshon' (apartments), souon refers to the sounds made by neighbors, such as loud music, heavy footsteps, or late-night vacuuming. Japan has strict cultural norms regarding 'souon toraburu' (noise troubles), and many apartment complexes have specific rules about when you can use washing machines or play musical instruments to avoid creating souon.

工事の騒音がひどくて、仕事に集中できない。(The construction noise is so bad that I can't concentrate on my work.)

Emotional Nuance: When someone complains about souon, they are expressing a sense of invasion of their private space. It suggests a lack of control over one's environment. The word is often paired with verbs like '悩まされる' (nayamasareru - to be troubled by) or '苦情を言う' (kujou o iu - to complain).

In summary, souon is the word you use when sound becomes a problem. It bridges the gap between physics (loudness) and social psychology (annoyance). Whether it's the roar of a jet engine or the thumping of a neighbor's bass, if it's unwanted and disruptive, it is souon.

Using 騒音 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and the typical verbs it associates with. Since it describes a negative phenomenon, it is frequently the subject or object of sentences involving distress, mitigation, or measurement.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. 騒音を出す (souon o dasu): To make noise. Used when identifying the source of the disturbance.
2. 騒音に悩む (souon ni nayamu): To suffer from noise. Very common in daily conversation.
3. 騒音を防ぐ (souon o fusegu): To prevent or block noise. Used in the context of soundproofing (bousou).

近所の騒音が原因で、引っ越しをすることにした。(I decided to move because of the noise from the neighborhood.)

In formal settings, such as news reports or academic papers, souon is often part of compound nouns. For example, '騒音対策' (souon taisaku) means noise countermeasures, and '騒音公害' (souon kougai) refers to noise pollution as a public nuisance.

政府は道路の騒音レベルを規制する新しい法律を制定した。(The government enacted a new law to regulate road noise levels.)

Grammatically, souon functions like any other noun. You can use the particle 'の' to connect it to its source (e.g., '飛行機の騒音' - airplane noise) or use it with 'は' or 'が' to indicate it as the topic or subject of the sentence.

このヘッドホンは外部の騒音を完全に遮断します。(These headphones completely block out external noise.)

The word 騒音 is ubiquitous in Japanese urban life. You will encounter it in several distinct environments, ranging from official notices to casual vents among friends.

Apartment Living (Manshon): If you live in a Japanese apartment, you will almost certainly see notices in the lobby or elevator titled '騒音に関するお願い' (A Request Regarding Noise). These notices remind residents to be quiet during late-night hours, avoid slamming doors, and keep television volumes low. This is perhaps the most common place a foreigner in Japan will see the word.

夜間の騒音は他の居住者の迷惑になります。(Nighttime noise is a nuisance to other residents.)

Public Infrastructure: Near airports (like Narita or Haneda) or major highways, you will see signs measuring '騒音レベル' (noise levels). Local residents often form groups to protest '騒音問題' (noise issues) caused by flight path changes or industrial expansion.

空港周辺の住民は長年、飛行機の騒音に抗議している。(Residents around the airport have been protesting airplane noise for many years.)

You'll also hear it in news reports concerning '騒音トラブル' (noise troubles) that escalate into legal disputes or, in extreme cases, criminal incidents. It is a word that carries a sense of social responsibility and environmental health.

While 騒音 is a straightforward word, learners often confuse it with other terms for sound or noise. Understanding these distinctions is key to sounding natural.

Confusing 'Souon' with 'Oto': The most common mistake is using 'oto' (sound) when you mean 'souon.' If you say '町の音がうるさい' (The sound of the town is loud), it is grammatically correct but lacks the specific 'nuisance' quality of '町の騒音がうるさい' (The noise of the town is annoying). Use souon when the sound is a problem.

❌ 音楽の騒音がきれいだ。(The noise of the music is beautiful.)
✅ 音楽の音がきれいだ。(The sound of the music is beautiful.)

Confusing 'Souon' with 'Zatsuon': 'Zatsuon' (雑音) refers to 'static' or 'background interference.' For example, the static on a radio or the crackling on a phone line is 'zatsuon.' 'Souon' is the loud, disturbing noise from the external environment. If you complain about your neighbor's party, use souon, not zatsuon.

Another mistake is over-formalizing casual situations. If your friend is being loud, saying '君は騒音を出している' (You are emitting noise) sounds like a legal citation. Just say 'うるさいよ' (You're loud!). Save souon for discussing the 'phenomenon' of noise.

To truly master the concept of noise in Japanese, you should be aware of several related terms that offer different shades of meaning.

雑音 (Zatsuon): Static, interference, or miscellaneous background noise. Used in electronics or when talking about 'noise' in data or a signal. Metaphorically, it can mean 'unnecessary chatter' or 'distractions' in a project.
喧騒 (Kensou): The hustle and bustle of a crowd or a busy city. Unlike souon, which is purely negative, kensou can sometimes be used descriptively to evoke the lively atmosphere of a marketplace or downtown area, though it still implies a lot of noise.
爆音 (Bakuon): An explosive sound or an extremely loud roar (like a motorcycle engine or a jet). This is much more intense than souon. It's the kind of noise that makes the windows shake.
物音 (Monooto): A sound made by an object. Usually used for small, sometimes mysterious sounds, like 'I heard a sound in the kitchen' (台所で物音がした). It is neutral and doesn't imply the 'pollution' aspect of souon.

都会の喧騒を離れて、田舎で静かに暮らしたい。(I want to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and live quietly in the countryside.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 騒 consists of 馬 (horse) and 蚤 (flea). It depicts a horse being agitated by fleas, which perfectly captures the 'annoying' nature of noise.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈsɔʊ.ɒn/

US /ˈsoʊ.ɔn/

Flat pitch (Heiban) in standard Japanese, though regional accents vary.

Rhymes With

Kanon Gouon Bakuon Zatsuon Kensou Housou Kouon Shion

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'soon' (like the English word).
Shortening the 'ou' sound to a single 'o'.
Confusing the pitch with 'son' (loss).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji for 'sou' is slightly complex but common.

Writing 4/5

Writing 騒 requires attention to the horse radical and the flea component.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is easy for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Clear phonetic profile.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

音 (oto) うるさい (urusai) 静か (shizuka) 大きい (ookii) 出す (dasu)

Learn Next

公害 (kougai) 迷惑 (meiwaku) 苦情 (kujou) 対策 (taisaku) 防音 (bouon)

Advanced

喧騒 (kensou) 低周波 (teishuuha) 受忍限度 (junin gendo) 減衰 (gensui)

Grammar to Know

Passive voice (nayamasareru)

騒音に悩まされる。

Causative (dasu/saseru)

騒音を出させない。

Nominalization (no wa)

騒音を出すのは良くない。

Reason (no de/sei de)

騒音のせいで頭が痛い。

Purpose (tame ni)

騒音を防ぐために壁を作る。

Examples by Level

騒音は嫌いです。

I hate noise.

Noun + は + Adjective

ここは騒音が多いですね。

There is a lot of noise here, isn't there?

Noun + が + 多い

騒音、だめです。

Noise is not allowed (bad).

Simple noun + dame

大きな騒音があります。

There is a loud noise.

Adjective + Noun + があります

騒音に気をつけてください。

Please be careful about noise.

Noun + に + ki o tsukete

これは騒音ですか？

Is this noise?

Question form

騒音がない部屋がいいです。

A room without noise is good.

Noun + がない + Noun

夜の騒音はやめてください。

Please stop the nighttime noise.

Noun + は + yamete

飛行機の騒音がうるさいです。

The airplane noise is loud.

Possessive の

隣の部屋から騒音が聞こえます。

I can hear noise from the next room.

Source から + 聞こえる

騒音のせいで、勉強ができません。

I can't study because of the noise.

Cause のせいで

この町は騒音が激しいです。

The noise in this town is intense.

Noun + が + 激しい

騒音を減らすために窓を閉めます。

I will close the window to reduce the noise.

Purpose ために

工事の騒音が毎日続きます。

The construction noise continues every day.

Verb 続く

騒音について苦情を言いました。

I made a complaint about the noise.

Topic について

静かな場所には騒音がありません。

In quiet places, there is no noise.

Location には

都会では騒音に悩まされる人が多い。

In cities, many people are troubled by noise.

Passive 悩まされる

騒音対策として、二重窓を設置した。

As a noise countermeasure, I installed double-paned windows.

Role として

夜遅くに騒音を出すのはマナー違反です。

Making noise late at night is a breach of etiquette.

Nominalizer のは

その工場は騒音基準を超えている。

That factory is exceeding the noise standards.

Verb 超える

騒音のない環境で暮らしたいものです。

I really want to live in an environment without noise.

Desire ものです

騒音計を使って音の大きさを測った。

I measured the loudness of the sound using a noise meter.

Instrument を使って

近隣の騒音トラブルは解決が難しい。

Neighborhood noise troubles are difficult to resolve.

Compound noun

騒音がひどいので、耳栓を買いました。

The noise is terrible, so I bought earplugs.

Reason ので

道路騒音を低減するために壁が作られた。

Walls were built to reduce road noise.

Passive 作られた

騒音公害は深刻な社会問題となっている。

Noise pollution has become a serious social issue.

State となっている

航空機の騒音レベルが規制値を下回った。

The noise level of the aircraft fell below the regulation value.

Verb 下回る

騒音に対する住民の意識が高まっている。

Residents' awareness regarding noise is increasing.

Target に対する

防音設備が不十分なため、騒音が漏れる。

Because the soundproofing equipment is insufficient, noise leaks out.

Reason なため

騒音源を特定するのは容易ではない。

Identifying the source of the noise is not easy.

Nominalizer のは

都市計画において騒音の抑制は不可欠だ。

In urban planning, the suppression of noise is essential.

Field において

騒音が睡眠の質に悪影響を及ぼす。

Noise has a negative impact on sleep quality.

Impact を及ぼす

環境基準に照らして、この騒音は違法だ。

In light of environmental standards, this noise is illegal.

Comparison に照らして

騒音被害の賠償を求めて訴訟を起こした。

A lawsuit was filed seeking compensation for noise damage.

Purpose を求めて

低周波騒音が人体に与える影響を調査する。

Investigate the effects of low-frequency noise on the human body.

Relative clause

騒音の伝播をシミュレーションで予測する。

Predict the propagation of noise using simulation.

Method で

都市の喧騒と騒音は紙一重の差である。

The hustle and bustle of the city and noise are separated by a thin line.

Metaphor 紙一重

騒音規制法の改正により、罰則が強化された。

With the revision of the Noise Regulation Law, penalties were strengthened.

Cause により

生活騒音をめぐる隣人トラブルが急増している。

Neighbor troubles surrounding daily life noise are rapidly increasing.

Topic をめぐる

騒音の遮断に優れた建築素材が開発された。

Building materials excellent at blocking noise were developed.

Excellence に優れた

騒音の生理学的影響は、単なる不快感に留まらない。

The physiological effects of noise are not limited to mere discomfort.

Limit に留まらない

静寂の権利をめぐる議論が、騒音問題を再定義した。

The debate over the 'right to silence' redefined the noise issue.

Verb 再定義した

音響設計において、騒音の減衰係数は重要な指標だ。

In acoustic design, the noise attenuation coefficient is a crucial index.

Technical terminology

騒音という不可視の公害が、都市の持続可能性を脅かす。

The invisible pollution called noise threatens urban sustainability.

Apposition という

法的枠組みの中で騒音の『受忍限度』が争点となる。

Within the legal framework, the 'limit of endurance' for noise becomes the point of contention.

Specific legal term 受忍限度

騒音の発生源対策は、技術的限界に直面している。

Countermeasures at the source of noise are facing technical limits.

Verb 直面している

文化圏によって騒音に対する許容度は大きく異なる。

Tolerance for noise varies greatly depending on the cultural sphere.

Dependency によって

騒音のランダム性は、その不快指数を増幅させる。

The randomness of noise amplifies its discomfort index.

Causative 増幅させる

Synonyms

雑音ノイズ喧騒

Antonyms

静寂静か

Common Collocations

騒音を出す

騒音に悩む

騒音を防ぐ

騒音レベル

騒音対策

騒音公害

騒音被害

騒音源

騒音規制

騒音トラブル

Common Phrases

生活騒音

— Noise from daily living activities like vacuuming or talking.

生活騒音に注意しましょう。

騒音おばさん

— A famous Japanese internet meme/news case involving a woman making noise to harass neighbors.

騒音おばさんのニュースを見た。

騒音の元

— The origin or source of the noise.

騒音の元を突き止める。

騒音撒き散らす

— To spread or emit noise everywhere (very negative).

バイクで騒音を撒き散らす。

騒音計

— A sound level meter device.

騒音計でデシベルを測る。

騒音苦情

— A complaint regarding noise.

管理会社に騒音苦情を入れる。

騒音防止法

— Noise Prevention Law.

騒音防止法が適用される。

騒音の激しい

— Describes a place with intense noise.

騒音の激しい工事現場。

騒音を遮断する

— To block out noise.

防音カーテンで騒音を遮断する。

騒音に敏感な

— Being sensitive to noise.

彼は騒音に敏感だ。

Often Confused With

騒音 vs 音 (Oto)

Oto is any sound (neutral). Souon is noise (negative).

騒音 vs 雑音 (Zatsuon)

Zatsuon is static/interference. Souon is environmental noise.

騒音 vs 喧騒 (Kensou)

Kensou is the bustle of a crowd (can be neutral/vibrant). Souon is purely a nuisance.

Idioms & Expressions

"騒音を立てる"

— To make a racket or be noisy.

静かな場所で騒音を立てないで。

Neutral

"耳を貸さない"

— To turn a deaf ear (can be used when someone ignores noise complaints).

彼は騒音の苦情に耳を貸さない。

Idiom

"閑古鳥が鳴く"

— To be very quiet/deserted (opposite of a place with souon).

店は騒音もなく、閑古鳥が鳴いている。

Idiom

"寝耳に水"

— A bolt from the blue (could be used for a sudden loud noise).

突然の騒音は寝耳に水だった。

Idiom

"蚊の鳴くような声"

— A very faint voice (opposite of souon).

騒音の中で蚊の鳴くような声は聞こえない。

Idiom

"口を酸っぱくして言う"

— To say something repeatedly (often about stopping noise).

騒音を出すなと口を酸っぱくして言った。

Idiom

"耳にたこができる"

— To be sick of hearing something (like a repetitive noise).

工事の騒音で耳にたこができた。

Idiom

"水を打ったよう"

— Dead silent (opposite of souon).

騒音が止まり、会場は水を打ったようになった。

Idiom

"蜂の巣をつついたよう"

— In an uproar (like a source of souon).

街は騒音で蜂の巣をつついたような騒ぎだ。

Idiom

"耳を塞ぐ"

— To block one's ears to noise.

耐え難い騒音に耳を塞いだ。

Neutral

Easily Confused

騒音 vs 騒ぎ

Both use the same kanji.

Sawagi is an uproar or a commotion (event). Souon is the sound itself.

外で騒ぎがあった。

騒音 vs 爆音

Both mean loud sound.

Bakuon is specifically roaring/exploding sound. Souon is general noise.

爆音が響いた。

騒音 vs 物音

Both are nouns for sound.

Monooto is a neutral sound from an object. Souon is a disturbing noise.

物音が聞こえる。

騒音 vs 高音

Sounds similar (Kouon vs Souon).

Kouon means high-pitched sound. Souon means noise.

高音がきれいだ。

騒音 vs 雑音

Both translate to 'noise'.

Zatsuon is static/interference. Souon is environmental noise.

テレビに雑音が入る。

Sentence Patterns

[Source] no souon

Kuruma no souon.

Souon ga [Adjective]

Souon ga urusai.

Souon ni [Verb-Passive]

Souon ni nayamasareru.

Souon o [Verb-Prevent]

Souon o fusegu.

Souon ni taisuru [Noun]

Souon ni taisuru kujou.

Souon no [Technical Noun]

Souon no gensui keisuu.

Souon no sei de [Result]

Souon no sei de nemurenai.

Souon o dasu

Souon o dasanaide kudasai.

Word Family

Nouns

騒ぎ (sawagi - uproar)

騒動 (soudou - disturbance)

防音 (bouon - soundproofing)

Verbs

騒ぐ (sawagu - to make noise/be boisterous)

騒がせる (sawagaseru - to cause a stir)

Adjectives

騒がしい (sawagashii - noisy)

喧しい (yakamashii - boisterous)

音 (oto)

声 (koe)

響 (hibiki)

公害 (kougai)

迷惑 (meiwaku)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in urban areas and legal/environmental news.

Common Mistakes

Using 'souon' for a beautiful sound. → Oto
Souon is inherently negative.
Pronouncing it 'soon'. → Souon
Must include the long 'o' sound.
Using 'souon' for radio static. → Zatsuon
Zatsuon is the correct term for electronic interference.
Saying 'souon o suru'. → Souon o dasu
The natural verb is 'dasu' (to emit/output).
Confusing 'souon' with 'sawagi'. → Souon
Sawagi is the event/commotion; souon is the sound.

Tips

Quiet in Public

Japan values silence. Avoid making 'souon' on trains or in hallways.

Oto vs Souon

Always use 'souon' if you are annoyed by the sound.

Passive Usage

Learn 'souon ni nayamasareru' to express you are a victim of noise.

Flea Horse

Remember the kanji 騒 as a horse jumping from a flea bite!

Apartment Life

Look for signs in your building with this word to stay out of trouble.

Decibels

In Japan, noise is measured in decibels (dB). Mentioning dB makes your complaint sound more objective.

News Keywords

When you hear 'souon,' expect a story about construction or neighbor fights.

Pronunciation

Don't rush the 'ou'. It's SOU-ON, not SON.

Stroke Order

The kanji 騒 has 18 strokes. Practice the right side carefully.

Harmony

Preventing 'souon' is a key part of maintaining 'wa' (harmony) in Japan.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a horse (馬) jumping because of fleas (蚤). The sound (音) it makes is 'SOUON' (So On and on it goes!).

Visual Association

A picture of a 'No Noise' sign with a picture of a flea-bitten horse.

Word Web

Noise Pollution Apartment Construction Complaint Loud Unpleasant Decibel

Challenge

Try to find three different sources of 'souon' in your city today and describe them in Japanese.

Word Origin

Composed of two Sino-Japanese (On-yomi) readings. 'Sou' (騒) and 'On' (音).

Original meaning: Disturbing sound.

Sino-Japanese (Kanji-based).

Cultural Context

Be careful when complaining about 'souon' to neighbors; it's a very sensitive social issue in Japan.

In the West, noise is often seen as a sign of life or vibrancy. In Japan, it is more often viewed as a lack of consideration.

The 'Noise Auntie' (Souon Obasan) incident. The movie 'Whisper of the Heart' (quiet vs noise). Legal cases against Shinkansen noise.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Apartment Life

騒音に注意する
隣の騒音
足音の騒音
夜間の騒音

Urban Environment

道路の騒音
都会の騒音
騒音公害
騒音規制

Construction/Industry

工事の騒音
機械の騒音
騒音対策
騒音源

Transportation

飛行機の騒音
電車の騒音
バイクの騒音
騒音レベル

Technology

ファンの騒音
騒音カット
ノイズ（騒音）
騒音計

Conversation Starters

"最近、近所の騒音に悩んでいませんか？"

"この辺りは夜、騒音がひどいですか？"

"騒音対策に何かいい方法はありますか？"

"都会の騒音と田舎の静けさ、どちらが好きですか？"

"日本のマンションは騒音トラブルが多いと聞きましたが、本当ですか？"

Journal Prompts

昨日聞いた一番不快な騒音について書いてください。

あなたが住んでいる場所の騒音レベルを説明してください。

騒音を減らすために、私たちは何ができるでしょうか？

騒音があなたの仕事や勉強にどのように影響するか書いてください。

もし騒音が全くない世界に住んだら、どう感じるか想像してください。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. Use 'koe ga ookii' (loud voice) or 'urusai' (annoying). 'Souon' is for the phenomenon of noise.

Yes, it implies a nuisance or pollution. You wouldn't use it for music you like.

You usually contact the 'kanri gaisha' (management company) and mention 'souon no kujou' (noise complaint).

In English, 'noise' can mean static. In Japanese, 'souon' is mostly environmental. 'Zatsuon' is for static.

Yes, extremely common in cities and news.

It means noise pollution, a recognized environmental issue in Japan.

Usually no. It implies sound that is loud enough to be a problem.

Souon teigen (騒音低減) or souon taisaku (騒音対策).

The noun 'souon' doesn't have a direct verb form like 'to noise'.

騒 (sou - disturb) and 音 (on - sound).