Japanese symbol for “voice”
声
こえ
Romaji: koe
voice
In Japanese, voice is 声, read こえ (koe).
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 voice
- n singing (of a bird); chirping (of an insect); hoot
- n voice; opinion (as expressed in words); view; wish; attitude; will
- n sound
- n sense (of something's arrival); feeling
- n voice; voiced sound (ling)
Written forms: 声、聲. Readings: こえ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “voice”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 音声 | おんせい onsei | voice; speech |
| 一声 | いっせい issei | voice; cry; shout |
| 音声 | おんじょう onjou | (sound of a) voice |
| ボイス | ボイス boisu | voice |
| 態 | たい tai | voice |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 名声 | めいせい meisei | fame; reputation; renown |
| 声優 | せいゆう seiyuu | voice actor or actress (radio, animation, etc.) |
| 笑い声 | わらいごえ waraigoe | (sound of) laughter; laughing voice |
See also: Chinese symbol for “voice”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
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