サイレン

さいれん
noun
siren
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
general
Added 2026.5.6 22:10
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