声(こえ)

こえ
noun
voice, sound
1. voice
Sound produced by the vocal cords.
いい声(こえ)ですね。
You have a nice voice.
大(おお)きな声(こえ)で話(はな)す。
To speak in a loud voice.
風邪(かぜ)をひいて声(こえ)が出(で)ない。
I caught a cold and lost my voice.
2. cry, call
A sound made by a person or animal.
声(こえ)をかける。
To call out to someone.
鳥(とり)の声(こえ)が聞(き)こえる。
I can hear birdsong.
隣(となり)の部屋(へや)から笑(わら)い声(ごえ)が聞(き)こえてきた。
I heard laughter coming from the next room.
3. opinion, feedback
Expressed views or comments.
国民(こくみん)の声(こえ)を聞(き)く。
To listen to the voice of the people.
反対(はんたい)の声(こえ)が上(あ)がった。
Voices of opposition were raised.
お客(きゃく)さまの声(こえ)を大切(たいせつ)にしています。
We value our customers' feedback.

声(こえ) means voice, and can also refer to cries, calls, or expressed opinions.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 声(こえ)をかける: to call out to someone
  • 声(こえ)を上(あ)げる: to raise one's voice, to speak up
  • 声(こえ)を出(だ)す: to produce a voice, to speak
  • 大(おお)きな声(こえ)で: in a loud voice
  • 小(ちい)さな声(こえ)で: in a quiet voice

COMPOUNDS:

  • 声優(せいゆう): voice actor
  • 歌声(うたごえ): singing voice
  • 泣(な)き声(ごえ): crying voice
  • 笑(わら)い声(ごえ): laughter
  • 話(はな)し声(ごえ): speaking voice

FIGURATIVE USE:
声(こえ) can mean "opinion" or "feedback": 国民(こくみん)の声(こえ) (the voice of the people)

general
Added 2026.1.9 21:15 · Revised 2026.3.22 10:53
02000/02207_koe