Japanese symbol for “cry”

鳴き声

なきごえ

Romaji: nakigoe

cry (of an animal); call; chirp; song

In Japanese, cry is 鳴き声, read なきごえ (nakigoe).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

n cry (of an animal); call; chirp; song; caw; roar

Written forms: 鳴き声、鳴声、なき声、啼き声. Readings: なきごえ.

Kanji and stroke order

鳴

chirp, cry, bark

on: メイ
kun: な.く、な.る、な.らす

14 strokes · JLPT 2

声

voice

on: セイ、ショウ
kun: こえ、こわ-

7 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “cry”

Word	Reading	Meaning
叫ぶ	さけぶ sakebu	to shout; to cry (out); to scream
叫び	さけび sakebi	shout; cry; outcry
泣き声	なきごえ nakigoe	cry (e.g. of a baby); sob; whine
泣く	なく naku	to cry; to shed tears; to weep
叫び声	さけびごえ sakebigoe	shout; yell; scream

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
悲鳴	ひめい himei	shriek; scream
鳴る	なる naru	to sound; to ring; to resound
鳴り	なり nari	ringing; sound
鳴らす	ならす narasu	to ring; to sound; to chime
怒鳴る	どなる donaru	to shout (in anger); to yell
音声	おんせい onsei	voice; speech
声明	せいめい seimei	declaration; statement; proclamation
歌声	うたごえ utagoe	singing voice; (sound of) singing