Readings: セイ, ショウ (Onyomi), こえ, こわ- (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Voice, Sound
The kanji 声 is said to have originally depicted a musical instrument or chime (士) with an element indicating sound being emitted. It evolved to represent “voice” or “sound.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 声 (voice, sound) is written with 7 strokes. It begins with the top horizontal stroke, followed by the left and right vertical strokes of the top component. Then, the two horizontal strokes inside, and finally the bottom two strokes forming the “mouth” radical.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 士 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | Grade 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- 声 (sei)
- 声 (shou)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- 声 (koe)
Common Words Using 声
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 音声 | おんせい | voice, sound |
| 発声 | はっせい | vocalization, utterance |
| 声援 | せいえん | cheer, encouragement |
| 声明 | せいめい | declaration, statement |
| 声帯 | せいたい | vocal cords |
| 声楽 | せいがく | vocal music |
| 声音 | せいおん | voice, sound (formal) |
| 声紋 | せいもん | voice print |
| 名声 | めいせい | fame, reputation |
| 奇声 | きせい | strange cry, shriek |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 声 | こえ | voice |
| 声色 | こわいろ | tone of voice |
| 大声 | おおごえ | loud voice |
| 小声 | こごえ | low voice, whisper |
| 歌声 | うたごえ | singing voice |
| 鳴き声 | なきごえ | (animal’s) cry, voice |
| 話し声 | はなしごえ | speaking voice |
| 泣き声 | なきごえ | crying voice |
| 笑い声 | わらいごえ | laughing voice |
| 心の声 | こころのこえ | inner voice, voice of the heart |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼の声はとても大きい。
Kana: かれのこえはとてもおおきい。
Romaji: Kare no koe wa totemo ookii.
English: His voice is very loud.
Japanese: 彼女の歌声は美しい。
Kana: かのじょのうたごえはうつくしい。
Romaji: Kanojo no utagoe wa utsukushii.
English: Her singing voice is beautiful.
Japanese: 先生の声が聞こえますか？
Kana: せんせいのこえがきこえますか？
Romaji: Sensei no koe ga kikoemasu ka?
English: Can you hear the teacher’s voice?
Japanese: 猫の鳴き声が聞こえた。
Kana: ねこのなきごえがきこえた。
Romaji: Neko no nakigoe ga kikoeta.
English: I heard the cat’s meow.
Japanese: 大声で話さないでください。
Kana: おおごえではなさないでください。
Romaji: Oogoe de hanasanai de kudasai.
English: Please don’t speak in a loud voice.
Japanese: 彼は小声で何かを言った。
Kana: かれはこごえでなにかをいった。
Romaji: Kare wa kogoe de nanika o itta.
English: He said something in a low voice.
Japanese: テレビの音声が途切れた。
Kana: テレビのおんせいがとぎれた。
Romaji: Terebi no onsei ga togireta.
English: The TV sound cut out.
Japanese: 応援の声が選手に届いた。
Kana: おうえんのこえがせんしゅにとどいた。
Romaji: Ouen no koe ga senshu ni todoita.
English: The cheering voices reached the athletes.
Japanese: 鳥の声で目が覚めた。
Kana: とりのこえでめがさめた。
Romaji: Tori no koe de me ga sameta.
English: I woke up to the sound of birds.
Japanese: 彼の声が震えていた。
Kana: かれのこえがふるえていた。
Romaji: Kare no koe ga furueteita.
English: His voice was trembling.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.