残響
zankyō[d͡zã̠ŋʲkʲo̞ː]
The English word "reverberation" is translated into Japanese as 残響 (zankyō).
残響 refers to an echo or a series of overlapping echoes. It is used in technical contexts, such as acoustics and audio engineering and in more poetic or literary contexts to describe lingering sounds.
Meaning: echo, or a series of overlapping echos (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
zankyō
Did you know?
- In Buddhist contexts, the concept of sounds lingering or echoing is sometimes used to illustrate the impermanence of all things in the physical world.
- The first character in 残響 means 'remnants' or 'leftovers', which is the same character used in 残念 to describe a 'regrettable' feeling of something left undone.
- While 残響 describes the physical sound, the Japanese word 余韻 describes the emotional 'reverberation' or afterglow one feels after a beautiful experience ends.
Examples in context
- このコンサートホールの鳴響は素晴らしいです。The reverberation in this concert hall is exceptional.
- この部屋の音には奇妙なエコーがあります。The sound in this room has a strange reverberation.
- 雷の轟音が山間にゴーゴーと響き渡った。The thunderous sound reverberated through the mountains.
- このホールは残響がとても綺麗だ。Kono hōru wa zankyō ga totemo kirei da.The reverberation in this hall is very beautiful.
- ピアノの残響が長く続く。Piano no zankyō ga nagaku tsuzuku.The reverberation of the piano lasts a long time.
- 残響が大きすぎて、音が聞き取りにくい。Zankyō ga ōkisugite, oto ga kikitorikunai.The reverberation is too loud, so it's hard to hear the sound.
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are listening to a live piano performance in a concert hall.
- 結衣 Yuiこの曲の残響、すごく幻想的だね。Kono kyoku no zankyō, sugoku gensōteki dane.The reverberation of this piece is so dreamy, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。音が心地よく響いているよ。Hontō da. Oto ga kokochiyoku hibiite iru yo.You're right. The sound is echoing pleasantly.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんは、この音響が好き？Hiroto-san wa, kono onkyō ga suki?Hiroto, do you like this acoustics?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、とても気に入ったよ。Un, totemo kiniitta yo.Yeah, I really like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reverberation” translations and entries 残響, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
