1.
warning whistle; horn; siren
A sound-producing device used to alert or warn others, such as a car horn, train whistle, or referee's whistle.
警笛を鳴らす。
To sound a horn.
電車が踏切の手前で警笛を鳴らした。
The train sounded its horn before the crossing.
この道路は警笛を鳴らしてはいけない区間に指定されている。
This road has been designated as a no-honking zone.
A compound of 警 (warning) and 笛 (whistle). Refers to any warning sound device — car horns, train whistles, factory sirens, and similar alert mechanisms.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 警笛を鳴らす: to sound a horn/whistle
- 警笛禁止: no honking
- 警笛区間: horn-sounding zone (on roads)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- クラクション: car horn (loanword from English "klaxon") — specifically for car horns in casual speech
- 汽笛: steam whistle — specifically the whistle of a steam-powered ship or train
- サイレン: siren — a louder, continuous warning sound used by emergency vehicles