Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of instrument and ear. Sound reaching ears.
Symbolism
Voice, statement, fame. Represents expression and reputation.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Ice crystals
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
大喝一声
だいかついっせい
shouting in a thunderous voice; blustering out
名声赫々
めいせいかっかく
of great renown; highly illustrious; at the zenith of one's fame
大声疾呼
たいせいしっこ
shout with a loud voice; fulminate; vociferate
風声鶴唳
ふうせいかくれい
getting frightened even by a slight noise; hearing the enemy in every leaf that rustles; being afraid of one's own shadow
励声一番
れいせいいちばん
giving cries of encouragement at a critical moment
励声叱咤
れいせいしった
cries of encouragement; shouting encouragement
Proverbs & Idioms
声を大にして
こえをだいにして
To speak out loudly
To assert forcefully
Poetry
奥山に もみぢ踏み分け 鳴く鹿の 声聞く時ぞ 秋は悲しき
Deep in the hills a stag treads through fallen maple leaves and cries. Hearing it, autumn is saddest of all.
淡路島 かよふ千鳥の 鳴く声に 幾夜ねざめぬ 須磨の関守
How many nights has the guard at Suma barrier woken to the cries of plovers crossing from Awaji Island?
閑さや岩にしみ入る蝉の声
Such stillness — the cry of the cicadas sinking into the rock.
塚も動け我泣く声は秋の風
Move, gravemound — the sound of my weeping is the autumn wind.
Anime & Manga
アイの歌声を聴かせて
Sing a Bit of Harmony
A well-known work with 声 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
“voice”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 声 mean in Japanese?
声 means voice.
How do you read 声?
On'yomi: セイ、ショウ (SEI, SHOU). Kun'yomi: こえ、こわ- (koe, kowa).
How many strokes does 声 have?
声 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 士 (scholar).
Is 声 a good kanji for a tattoo?
声 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means voice. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:voice