低い声
hikui koe
The English phrase "deep voice" is translated into Japanese as 低い声 (hikui koe).
低い声 is used to describe a voice that has a low pitch.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 低い (hikui), meaning "low" and 声 (koe), meaning "voice".
How does it change in a sentence?
By adding the particle で (de) to the phrase, forming 低い声で, you can express that an action is being performed "with" or "in" a low voice.
How do you pronounce it?
hikui koe
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the concept of a 'deep' or 'refined' voice is often linked to 渋い (shibui), a word that also describes the astringent taste of tea or a sophisticated, understated aesthetic.
- To describe a voice that is deep and husky, Japanese uses ガラガラ (gara-gara), which is the same onomatopoeia used for the sound of rattling cans or a loud clatter.
- While English uses 'deep' for both pitch and richness, Japanese uses 太い (futoi), meaning 'thick', to describe a voice with a full and resonant quality.
Examples in context
- 彼は低い声で話す。He speaks in a low voice.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking about a new actor in a movie.
- 蓮 Renこの俳優さん、すごく低い声だね。Kono haiyū-san, sugoku hikui koe da ne.This actor has a really deep voice, doesn't he?
- 結衣 Yui本当だね。とてもかっこいいと思うわ。Hontō da ne. Totemo kakkoii to omou wa.He does. I think it's very cool.
- 蓮 Ren僕もいつかそんな低い声になりたいな。Boku mo itsuka sonna hikui koe ni naritai na.I wish I could have a deep voice like that someday.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くんの声だって十分素敵よ。Ren-kun no koe datte jūbun suteki yo.Your voice is wonderful enough, Ren.
