How to say "loud" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- i-adjectiveThe default word for loud in the sense of noisy or annoyingly audible. Use it when a sound bothers you, such as loud music, voices, or traffic keeping you from concentrating or sleeping.
- 高らかたからかna-adjectiveCovers loud in the sense of sonorous or ringing — sound that carries clearly and resonantly. Best for lifted, carrying voices or ringing tones rather than mere noise.
- 派手はでna-adjective, nounCovers loud only in the figurative sense of showy, flashy, or gaudy, as in loud colors or loud clothing. It does not describe the volume of a sound, so it is not the word for actual noise.
- i-adjectiveAlso means noisy or loud with an irritating edge, often suggesting clamorous, boisterous commotion. It overlaps with うるさい but carries a somewhat sterner, more scolding nuance.
- 大おおprefixA prefix element meaning large or big, not a standalone way to say loud. Although it is linked to 'loud' through big/loud-related senses, learners should not reach for it when describing a loud sound.
Use 「うるさい」 or 「やかましい」 for unpleasantly noisy sound, 「高らか」 for clear ringing sound, 派手 for 'loud' in the sense of showy or flashy, and 大 only in fixed large/loud-related uses rather than as a standalone adjective.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- うるさいnoisy
- 高らかたからかloud
- 派手はでshowy
- やかましいnoisy
- 大おおlarge
- 声高こわだかloud (of a voice)
- 騒々しいそうぞうしいnoisy
- ごうごうloud (criticism, protest, etc.)
- ラウドloud
- どぎついgaudy
- るっさいnoisy
- デーハーshowy
- うっさいnoisy
- ケバいgaudy (esp. of makeup or clothing)
- あくどいgaudy
- けたたましいpiercing
- けばけばしいgaudy
- 大きいおおきいloud
- 賑やかにぎやかlively (party, voices, etc.)
- くどいgaudy (colour, design, etc.)
- やんやloud (e.g. applause)
- 高いたかいloud
See also
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