Translation and Meaning of: 囁く - sasayaku

The Japanese word 囁く[ささやく] carries a delicate and poetic meaning, often associated with whispers, secrets, or intimate conversations. If you are looking to better understand its usage, origin, or how to memorize it, this article will explore all of that in a clear and practical way. Here at Suki Nihongo, our Japanese dictionary, we prioritize precise and helpful explanations for students and the curious.

Let's dive into the meaning of ささやく, its writing in kanji, as well as curiosities about how it appears in everyday life and Japanese culture. If you've ever wondered why this word is so present in songs, dramas, or even in animes, keep reading to find out!

Meaning and use of 囁く [ささやく]

The verb ささやく means "to whisper" or "to speak in a low voice," usually in situations that require discretion or intimacy. Unlike speaking normally, it conveys a sense of secrecy, affection, or even conspiracy. Imagine someone telling a secret in another person's ear – that is the essence of ささやく.

In the Japanese language, this word is not considered rare, but it is also not extremely common in everyday life. It appears more frequently in literary contexts, song lyrics, and dialogues in dramas, where emotion and subtlety are important. For example, in romantic or suspenseful scenes, the use of ささやく helps to create atmosphere.

Origin and writing in kanji

The kanji 囁く is composed of the radical 口 (mouth) combined with 聶, which suggests repetition or something close. This combination reinforces the idea of quiet and nearby voices, as in a whisper. The etymology is not entirely clear, but the presence of the mouth radical makes its connection to speech evident.

It is worth noting that ささやく can also be written only in hiragana, especially in more informal texts or when the kanji is considered complex. However, the kanji version is perfectly valid and appears in written materials such as books and subtitles.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize ささやく is to associate it with the soft sound that the word itself seems to imitate. Repeat "sasayaku" a few times in a low voice and notice how it sounds like a whisper. This type of phonetic association is very helpful in learning.

Furthermore, this word is often used in Japanese song lyrics, especially in romantic ballads. If you enjoy J-pop or animes, pay attention to the scenes where characters speak softly – there’s a high chance of ささやく appearing in the subtitles or dialogues.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• ささやく (sasayaku) - Speak in a whisper, murmuring something in a low voice.
• つぶやく (tsubuyaku) - Speak in a low voice, often used to describe murmurs or comments made to oneself.
• こそこそ話す (kosokoso hanasu) - Speak in secret, stealthily, usually so that others cannot hear.

囁く

Romaji: sasayaku
Kana: ささやく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: whisper; to murmur

Meaning in English: to whisper;to murmur

Definition: Speak softly, as if whispering in your ear.

Example Sentences - (囁く) sasayaku

See below some example sentences:

彼女は耳元で囁くのが好きです。

Kanojo wa mimimoto de sasayaku no ga suki desu

She likes to whisper in her ear.

She likes to whisper in her ears.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 耳元 (mimimoto) - next to the ear
• で (de) - Location particle
• 囁く (sasayaku) - whisper
• のが (noga) - particle indicating preference
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - polite way of being