Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 口笛 | kuchibue | [kɯ̟t͡ɕibɯ̟e̞] (narrow) |
| 笛 | fue | [ɸɯ̟e̞] (narrow) [te̞kʲi] (narrow) |
| ホイッスル | hoissuru | [ho̞isːɨɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 汽笛 | kiteki | [kʲite̞kʲi] (narrow) |
| 呼び子 | yobiko | |
| 号笛 | gōteki | [ɡo̞ːte̞kʲi] (narrow) |
While several words exist for a whistle, they are used for very different things. Use 口笛 when referring to the act of whistling with your mouth. Use 笛 for more general musical instruments like flutes or physical whistle devices. For loud, heavy sounds like those from a train or a ship, use 汽笛. If you are talking about a whistle in a technical or sporting context, such as a referee's tool, use the loanword ホイッスル.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 口笛 literally means "mouth whistle", composed of 口 (mouth) and 笛 (flute/whistle).
Which one should you use?
There are important distinctions between these terms. 口笛 is used specifically for whistling made with one's mouth, whereas 笛 is a broader term for instruments like flutes or whistles. For the loud whistles heard on ships or trains, use 汽笛. In sports or technical settings, the katakana form ホイッスル is preferred.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of whistling, use the verbal phrase 口笛を吹く, which means "to produce a whistling sound".
How do you pronounce it?
kuchibue
When do people say it?
The onomatopoeic word ピーピー is used informally in Japanese to imitate the sound of a whistle.
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, whistling 口笛 indoors is often considered a superstition that invites thieves into the home.
- The reading of the character 笛 can be expressed as puye in ancient Japanese, a pronunciation used over a millennium ago.
- In traditional Japanese theatre like 'Noh', specific whistles and flutes are used to signal the entrance of supernatural beings or ghosts.
Examples in context
- 誰かの口笛が聞こえた。I heard someone whistle.This sentence shows how to use the word for whistle when describing hearing someone.Tatoeba #1111477 by bunbuku, translation #276147 by CK
- 口笛の吹き方ってわかる？Do you know how to whistle?This sentence is useful for asking about the method of whistling.Tatoeba #9519562 by small_snow, translation #3423973 by AlanF_US
- トムさ、口笛が吹けないんだぜ。Tom can't whistle.This sentence demonstrates describing an inability to whistle.Tatoeba #10081466 by bunbuku, translation #1955133 by CK
- 彼はコンサートで口笛を吹いた。He whistled at the concert.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are walking in a park.
- 陽葵 Himariねえ、今の口笛、誰が吹いたの？Nē, ima no kuchibue, dare ga fuita no?Hey, who just whistled?
- 健太 Kentaわからないけど、いい音だったね。Wakaranai kedo, ii oto datta ne.I don't know, but it sounded nice.
- 陽葵 Himari私は口笛がうまく吹けないんだよ。Watashi wa kuchibue ga umaku fukenai nda yo.I can't whistle very well.
- 健太 Kenta練習すれば、健太が教えてあげるよ。Renshū sureba, Kenta ga oshiete ageru yo.If you practice, Kenta will teach you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whistle” translations and entries 口笛, 笛, ホイッスル, 汽笛, 号笛, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ホイッスル, 笛, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
