音
JLPT N4
Sound
Readings
On’yomi: オン, イン (on, in)
Kun’yomi: おと (oto)
• おと (oto) – sound, noise
• ね (ne) – sound, tone (used more poetically or in compounds)
Structure
Composition:
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Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
音
おと
sound
音楽
おんがく
music
発音
はつおん
pronunciation
騒音
そうおん
noise
音量
おんりょう
volume
Example Sentences
大きい音です。
おおきい おと です。
It is a loud sound.
発音を練習します。
はつおん を れんしゅう します。
I practice pronunciation.
Cultural Note
🎶 The kanji 音 holds deep cultural meaning in Japan — it’s not just “sound” but the emotional quality of sound.
• The Japanese often speak of 音色 (ねいろ) — “tone color” — the feeling that sound gives, not just the frequency.
• Nature sounds are treasured in Japan — such as 風の音 (sound of the wind) or 鈴の音 (sound of bells) — because they evoke harmony and tranquility.
• In traditional arts like 茶道 (sadō) or 能 (nō theatre), silence and sound are equally important — the space between sounds (間 “ma”) gives rhythm and beauty.
• Even the modern word 音楽 (ongaku) combines 音 (sound) + 楽 (joy) — “the joy of sound.” 🎵
• The Japanese often speak of 音色 (ねいろ) — “tone color” — the feeling that sound gives, not just the frequency.
• Nature sounds are treasured in Japan — such as 風の音 (sound of the wind) or 鈴の音 (sound of bells) — because they evoke harmony and tranquility.
• In traditional arts like 茶道 (sadō) or 能 (nō theatre), silence and sound are equally important — the space between sounds (間 “ma”) gives rhythm and beauty.
• Even the modern word 音楽 (ongaku) combines 音 (sound) + 楽 (joy) — “the joy of sound.” 🎵