警笛(けいてき)

けいてき
noun
warning whistle; horn; siren
transportation
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(けいてき)を鳴(な)らす。
To sound a horn.
The train sounded its horn before the crossing.
This road has been designated as a no-honking zone.

A compound of 警(けい) (warning) and 笛(てき) (whistle). Refers to any warning sound device — car horns, train whistles, factory sirens, and similar alert mechanisms.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • クラクション: car horn (loanword from English "klaxon") — specifically for car horns in casual speech
  • 汽笛(きてき): 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