Translation and Meaning of: 音 - ne

The Japanese word 音[ね] is a curious term that sparks interest both for its simplicity and for its application in everyday life. If you are learning Japanese or just have curiosity about the language, understanding its meaning, origin, and usage can be quite useful. In this article, we will explore everything from its writing and pronunciation to the cultural context in which this word appears, ensuring that you know how to use it correctly.

Additionally, we will see how 音[ね] relates to other terms and expressions in the Japanese language, along with practical tips for memorizing it. If you're looking for a reliable dictionary to deepen your studies, Suki Nihongo is an excellent option. Shall we begin?

Meaning and writing of 音[ね]

The word 音[ね] is composed of the kanji 音 (sound) and the reading ね (ne). In Japanese, it can be translated as "sound" or "noise," but its usage goes beyond the literal meaning. Depending on the context, it can refer to musical tones, ambient noises, or even the intonation of the voice.

The kanji 音 is composed of the radicals 立 (to stand) and 日 (sun), suggesting a connection with something that propagates, like sound. This structure helps explain why this character is used in words related to hearing and music. The reading ね is one of the many possible for this kanji, being essential for those who want to master Japanese vocabulary.

Everyday use and practical examples

In everyday life, 音[ね] appears in various situations. It can be used to describe the sound of a musical instrument, as in 音がきれい (the sound is beautiful). It is also common in expressions that involve natural noises, such as the wind or the rain.

Another interesting use is in sentences that express auditory sensations, such as 音がうるさい (the sound is loud/annoying). It is worth noting that, although it is a simple word, its meaning can vary according to the context. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the situations in which it appears to avoid confusion.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to remember 音[ね] is to associate it with sound situations from everyday life. For example, think of a song you like and mentally repeat "この音はいいね" (this sound is good, right?). This type of association helps to fix the term in memory naturally.

Interestingly, 音[ね] also appears in the names of traditional Japanese instruments, such as the 琴 (koto), showing its connection to the country’s musical culture. If you've ever watched Japanese animes or dramas, you might have noticed that this word appears in scenes involving music or soundscapes, reinforcing its use in entertainment.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 音色 (Neiro) - Timber or the color of sound
• 音響 (Onkyou) - Acoustics or sound quality
• 音楽 (Ongaku) - Music
• 音量 (Onryou) - Volume
• 音声 (Onsei) - Voice or spoken sound
• 音波 (Onpa) - Sound wave
• 音質 (Onshitsu) - Sound quality
• 音域 (On'iki) - Tonal extension or sound range
• 音符 (Onpu) - musical note
• 音鳴り (Onnari) - Sound production
• 音色素材 (Neiro sozai) - Material for letterhead
• 音色調整 (Neiro chousei) - Timbre adjustment
• 音色表現 (Neiro hyougen) - Timbre expression
• 音色設定 (Neiro settei) - Timbre configuration
• 音色合成 (Neiro gousei) - Timbre synthesis
• 音色変換 (Neiro henkan) - Timbre conversion
• 音色解析 (Neiro kaiseki) - Timbre analysis
• 音色生成 (Neiro seisei) - Generation of tone
• 音色編集 (Neiro henshuu) - Timbre editing
• 音色制御 (Neiro seigyo) - Tone control
• 音色評価 (Neiro hyouka) - Timbre assessment
• 音色検索 (Neiro kensaku) - Timbre research
• 音色分析 (Neiro bunseki) - Timbre analysis
• 音色変容 (Neiro hen'yō) - Timbre transformation
• 音色変更 (Neiro henkou) - Timbre change
• 音色変幻 (Neiro hengen) - Timbre mutation
• 音色変奏 (Neiro hensou) - Timbre variation
• 音色変形 (Neiro henkei) - Timbre modification
• 音色変化量 (Neiro henka-ryou) - Amount of tone change
• 音色変化曲線 (Neiro henka kyokusen) - Timbre change curve

音

Romaji: ne
Kana: ね
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4, jlpt-n3, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: sound; note

Meaning in English: sound;note

Definition: Something that vibrates and reaches your ears.

Example Sentences - (音) ne

See below some example sentences:

オルガンの音色は美しいです。

O rugan no neiro wa utsukushii desu

The sound of the organ is beautiful.

The organ tone is beautiful.

• オルガン - organ
• の - Possession particle
• 音色 - timbre, sound quality
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - Beautiful, lovely
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

このチャンネルは映像がクリアで音声も良いです。

Kono channeru wa eizō ga kuria de onsei mo yoi desu

This channel has a clear picture and good sound.

This channel has clear video and has a good voice.

• この - this
• チャンネル - channel
• は - is
• 映像 - image
• が - (subject particle)
• クリア - clear
• で - (connection particle)
• 音声 - sound
• も - also
• 良い - good
• です - is (polite form of "to be")

ジャズは私の好きな音楽ジャンルです。

Jazu wa watashi no sukina ongaku janru desu

Jazz is my favorite music genre.

Jazz is my favorite music genre.

• ジャズ - jazz
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possessive particle
• 好き - Like, preference
• な - adjectival particle
• 音楽 - Music
• ジャンル - genre
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

ベルの音色は美しいです。

Beru no neiro wa utsukushii desu

The sound of the bell is beautiful.

The doorbell tone is beautiful.

• ベル - Bell
• の - Possessive particle
• 音色 - Timbre
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - pretty
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

五十音は日本語の基本的な音の組み合わせを表します。

Gojūon wa nihongo no kihonteki na oto no kumiawase o hyō shimasu

The 1950s indicate the basic combination of the Japanese sound.

• 五十音 - means "fifty sounds" and refers to the set of Japanese characters used to represent sounds and syllables.
• 日本語 - means "Japanese language".
• 基本的な - means "basic" or "fundamental".
• 音 - means "sound" or "musical note".
• 組み合わせ - means "combination" or "arrangement".
• 表します - means "represents" or "shows".

喧しい音が耳障りだ。

Urusai oto ga mimizawari da

Noisy sound is irritating to the ears.

The blurred sound is annoying.

• 喧しい - noisy, loud
• 音 - sound
• が - subject particle
• 耳障り - Annoying to the ears
• だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense

服が擦れる音が聞こえる。

Fuku ga sureru oto ga kikoeru

I hear the sound of clothing rustling.

You can hear the sound of clothes rubbing together.

• 服 (fuku) - clothes
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 擦れる (sureru) - rub
• 音 (oto) - sound
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 聞こえる (kikoeru) - be heard, be noticeable

歌謡は日本の伝統的な音楽ジャンルです。

Kayou wa Nihon no dentouteki na ongaku janru desu

Kayo is a traditional Japanese music genre.

• 歌謡 - Japanese folk song
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 伝統的な - Traditional
• 音楽 - music
• ジャンル - genre
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

民謡は日本の伝統音楽です。

Min'yo wa Nihon no dentou ongaku desu

Folk songs are traditional Japanese music.

• 民謡 - Folk music
• は - Topic marking particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 伝統 - Tradition
• 音楽 - music
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

物音が聞こえる。

Mono oto ga kikoeru

I can hear the sound of objects.

You can hear the noise.

• 物音 - sound of objects
• が - subject particle
• 聞こえる - to be heard