サイレン

さいれん

noun

siren

tool

1. siren; alarm

A device that makes a loud warning sound, used by emergency vehicles, factories, or for disaster alerts.

救急車(きゅうきゅうしゃ)のサイレンが聞(き)こえた。

I heard the siren of an ambulance.

正午(しょうご)になると工場(こうじょう)のサイレンが鳴(な)る。

The factory siren sounds at noon.

津波(つなみ)警報(けいほう)のサイレンが鳴(な)ったら、すぐに高(たか)い場所(ばしょ)へ避難(ひなん)してください。

When the tsunami warning siren sounds, please evacuate to high ground immediately.

From English "siren." In Japan, sirens are encountered in several everyday contexts: emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire trucks, police cars), factory shift signals, and disaster warning systems. The noon siren (正午(しょうご)のサイレン) is still heard in many communities.

Common collocations

サイレンが鳴(な)る: a siren sounds
サイレンを鳴(な)らす: to sound a siren
防災(ぼうさい)サイレン: disaster prevention siren
消防車(しょうぼうしゃ)のサイレン: fire truck siren
サイレンの音(おと): the sound of a siren

Similar words

警報(けいほう): alarm; warning — a broader term that includes sirens but also announcements and signals
非常(ひじょう)ベル: emergency bell — a different type of alarm, typically for fire alarms in buildings

Related Words

Compare: 警報(けいほう) (alarm)

Compare: 非常(ひじょう)ベル (emergency bell)

Compare: 警笛(けいてき) (warning whistle)

Compare: 回転灯(かいてんとう) (rotating light)

general

Added 2026.5.6 22:10 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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