Quick answer
鳴 is the kanji for "Cry". A common reading is な.く (naku). You can also practice writing it on this page.
Meaning
Cry
Also : Bark · Ring · Echo · Honk
Learn 鳴 with SRS
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
14 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 鳴 represents 'CHIRP'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of chirp.
On-reading: めい — remember this sound by associating it with chirp. Kun-reading: な.く.
Example Sentences
電話が鳴りました。
でんわがなりました。
The phone rang.
鳥の鳴き声が聞こえます。
とりのなきごえがきこえます。
I can hear the birds singing.
Vocabulary using 鳴
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jul 22, 2026
Learn 鳴 with Spaced Repetition
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