Recognise 声 in complete Japanese words. These examples show voices, cheers and calls in context.

The idea

声 has 7 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram. Compare 声（こえ） with 声援（せいえん）: learn readings with whole words. N3 is an editorial estimate, not an official JLPT kanji list.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
声こえI can hear her voice clearly.
声援せいえんI can hear the audience cheering.
大声おおごえPlease do not speak loudly.
呼び声よびごえI can hear someone calling from far away.

Examples

  • 彼女かのじょの声こえがよく聞きこえます。I can hear her voice clearly.
  • 観客かんきゃくの声援せいえんが聞きこえます。I can hear the audience cheering.
  • 大声おおごえで話はなさないでください。Please do not speak loudly.
  • 声こえを出だして読よみます。I read aloud.
  • 遠とおくから呼よび声ごえが聞きこえます。I can hear someone calling from far away.
  • 小ちいさな声こえで名前なまえを呼よびます。I call the name in a quiet voice.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

声（こえ） is a voice or vocal sound; 音（おと） is a broader word for sound. In 声援 the reading is せい, and in 呼び声 the second part becomes ごえ. Compare 声 with 売: a shared component does not make them interchangeable.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 声 in hiragana.

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    こえ

    声 is read こえ. In context: I can hear her voice clearly.

  2. Write the reading of 声援 in hiragana.

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    せいえん

    声援 is read せいえん. In context: I can hear the audience cheering.

  3. Write this lesson’s kanji in the blank: ＿（こえ）.

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    声

    声 completes 声, read こえ. In context: I can hear her voice clearly.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 声 from memory, and read 声 and 声援 aloud. Then check the examples and make a sentence of your own.