大声(おおごえ)

大声(おおごえ) refers to a loud voice or the act of speaking/calling out loudly. It is used both as a noun and adverbially with で.

Common patterns

• 大声(おおごえ)で話(はな)す: to speak in a loud voice
• 大声(おおごえ)を出(だ)す: to raise one's voice, to shout
• 大声(おおごえ)で叫(さけ)ぶ: to shout/scream loudly
• 大声(おおごえ)で笑(わら)う: to laugh loudly
• 大声(おおごえ)で呼(よ)ぶ: to call out in a loud voice

Etymology

大(おお) (big) + 声(こえ) (voice). The reading 声(ごえ) uses sequential voicing (rendaku).

Similar words

• 小声(こごえ): a quiet voice, a whisper (the opposite)
• 怒鳴(どな)り声(ごえ): an angry shout

Cultural note

Speaking in a 大声(おおごえ) on public transport or in quiet settings is considered rude in Japan.