吠える
hoeru[ho̞e̞ɾɯ̟]
The English verb "bark" is expressed in Japanese as 吠える (hoeru).
吠える is the most common word used to describe the act of a dog barking. While it is the standard verb for animals, it can also be used metaphorically to describe humans shouting or yelling aggressively. If you wish to describe the specific sound a dog makes, you can use the onomatopoeic expression ワンワン吠える.
Meaning: to make a loud noise (dogs) (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 吠える is the verb for the action of barking, 吠え声 refers specifically to the sound or voice produced by the barking. For the exterior covering of a tree, Japanese uses 木の皮 or 樹皮.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 吠える is 吠えた. To describe a dog that is currently in the act of barking, use the progressive form 吠えている.
How do you pronounce it?
hoeru
Did you know?
- The word 吠える descends from the Proto-Japonic root *pəyu, showing it has been used to describe this sound for thousands of years.
- In Japanese, the term 木の皮 (ki no kawa) is used for tree bark, where 皮 (kawa) is the same word used for the 'skin' of fruits and vegetables.
- The verb 吠える can be used in poetic or dramatic contexts to describe the howling of the wind or the roar of the sea, extending beyond just domestic animals.
Examples in context
- 犬って、知らない人には吠えるよ。A dog will bark at strangers.This sentence shows how to use 吠える to describe a dog barking at strangers.Tatoeba #10185146 by bunbuku, translation #239190 by CK
- この犬は知らない人には吠えるように躾けられています。This dog is conditioned to bark at strangers.This sentence demonstrates the use of 吠える in the context of a dog being conditioned to bark at strangers.Tatoeba #9431676 by small_snow, translation #59424 by AlanF_US
- 犬が吠えました。The dog barked.
- 吠え声が聞こえました。I heard the sound of a dog barking.
- わんわん吠えている。The dog is barking (wan wan).
- チワワがキャンキャン吠えている。The Chihuahua is barking (kyan kyan).
Example conversation
Hiroto and Himari are walking in a park when a dog starts barking.
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこの犬、激しく吠えているね。asoko no inu, hageshiku hoete iru ne.That dog over there is barking loudly, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ。何かに怒っているのかな。hontō da. nanika ni okotte iru no kana.You're right. I wonder if it's angry at something.
- 大翔 Hiroto急に吠えるからびっくりしたよ。kyū ni hoeru kara bikkuri shita yo.It surprised me because it started barking suddenly.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くん、あっちに歩こう。Hiroto-kun, acchi ni arukō.Hiroto, let's walk this way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bark” translations and entries 吠える, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 吠える, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
