声が出ない
koe ga denai
In Japanese, 'lost voice' is expressed as 声が出ない (koe ga denai).
This phrase is used to describe both the temporary inability to speak due to illness and the physical sensation of having no voice.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 声が出ない means 'voice does not come out'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form of the phrase is 声が出ません. To describe the onset of losing your voice, you can use the te-form 声が出なくなって.
How do you pronounce it?
koe ga denai
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific term 喉を枯らす meaning 'to wither the throat'. This is used specifically for losing one's voice through shouting or singing, treating the vocal cords like a dying plant.
- In Japan, people often treat a lost voice by drinking kuzu-yu, a thick, translucent porridge made from kudzu root starch. It is believed to soothe the throat and restore the voice faster than simple tea.
- If a voice is raspy, the word かすれた is used, which is the same word used to describe a blurred or indistinct line in a drawing.
Examples in context
- 声が出ないから、メモで教えてもらえる？Since I can't speak, could you tell me using a note?
- 風邪をひいて、声が出ない。Kaze o hiite, koe ga denai.I have a cold and my voice is gone.
- 喉が痛くて、全く声が出ない。Nodo ga itakute, mattaku koe ga denai.My throat hurts and I can't speak at all.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui meet at school in the morning.
- 陽太 Yota（しわがれ声で）おはよう。(shiwagaregoe de) Ohayou.(In a hoarse voice) Good morning.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くん、大丈夫？声がおかしいよ。Yota-kun, daijoubu? Koe ga okashii yo.Yota, are you okay? Your voice sounds strange.
- 陽太 Yota昨日から風邪で、全然声が出ないんだ。Kinou kara kaze de, zenzen koe ga denai nda.I've had a cold since yesterday, and I've completely lost my voice.
- 結衣 Yui大変だね。早く治してね。Taihen dane. Hayaku naoshite ne.That's tough. I hope you get better soon.
