Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 音が大きい | oto ga ōkii | |
| 大声 | ōgoe | [o̞ːɡo̞e̞] (narrow) [ta̠ise̞ː] (narrow) |
| 騒々しい | sōzōshii | [so̞ːzo̞ːɕii] (narrow) |
| 喧しい | yakamashii | [ka̠ma̠bʲisɨ̥ɕiː] (narrow) [ja̠ka̠ma̠ɕii] (narrow) |
Japanese uses different words for loudness depending on whether you are describing the volume of an object, a human voice, a chaotic environment or an annoying person. 音が大きい is used for the volume of inanimate sounds like music or machinery. 大声 refers specifically to a loud human voice. If you want to describe a situation that is boisterous, chaotic or noisy, use 騒々しい. For someone being loud in an annoying, fussy or clamorous way, use 喧しい.
Which one should you use?
Use 音が大きい to describe the volume of an inanimate sound, such as music or a machine. Use 大声 to refer specifically to a loud human voice. Use 騒々しい to describe a situation that is noisy, boisterous or chaotic rather than just a single loud sound. Use 喧しい to describe someone who is being loud in an annoying, clamorous or fussy manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'in a loud voice' or 'loudly' as an adverbial phrase, add the particle で to 大声 to form 大声で.
How do you pronounce it?
oto ga ōkii
Did you know?
- When 大声 is pronounced 'ōgoe' instead of 'ōkoe', it is due to a linguistic phenomenon called 'rendaku', where the second part of a compound word undergoes a sound change to make it easier to say.
- In Japanese, 'loudness' is often conceptualized as 'the size of the sound' rather than just the intensity, which is why the word 大きい (big) appears in 音が大きい.
- While English speakers use 'loud' to describe almost any high-volume sound, using the word for a human voice, 大声, to describe a radio would sound as strange to a Japanese speaker as saying 'a big human voice radio' would to an English speaker.
Examples in context
- そんな大声で話すな！Don't talk so loud.This sentence demonstrates how to use 大声 to tell someone not to talk loudly.Tatoeba #204070 by KK_kaku_, translation #41312 by CK
- 父はいつも大声で話す。My father always speaks in a very loud voice.This sentence shows the use of 大声 to describe a father speaking in a loud voice.Tatoeba #84750 by bunbuku, translation #318964 by CK
- 彼は助けを求めて大声で叫んだ。He cried out for help in a loud voice.This sentence illustrates using 大声 to describe someone crying out for help.Tatoeba #104241 by Kaede, translation #299450 by CK
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are watching a movie in the living room.
- 結衣 Yuiテレビの音が大きすぎるよ。Terebi no oto ga ookisugiru yo.The TV sound is too loud.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。少し下げていい？Hontō da. Sukoshi sagete ii?You're right. Can I turn it down a bit?
- 結衣 Yuiお願い。音が大きいと疲れるもん。Onegai. Oto ga ookii to tsukareru mon.Please. I get tired when the sound is loud.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかった。これでどうかな？Wakatta. Kore de dō kana?Got it. How about this?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “loud” translations and entries 大声, 騒々しい, 喧しい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 大声, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
