声

KANJI DETAIL

voice

On readingせい

7 strokesN4

Radical 士 · scholar

Stroke order

7 strokes

Japanese readings

On reading: せい
Kun reading: こえ, こわ

Study notes

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

Structure: 声 denotes voice; its on-reading is せい, and its kun-readings include こえ and こわ.
Basic usage: 声(こえ) means voice, while 声色(こわいろ) means tone of voice.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

A voice and the tone it conveys
- 優しい声色 means a gentle tone of voice. 声色 focuses on vocal qualities, such as the tension or gentleness heard over a telephone.
- The first part of 声色 is こわ. Distinguish it from the standalone reading こえ of 声.