鳴く（なく）
JLPT N5 · Godan verb (Group 1)
Pitch accent: heiban (flat) — starts low, stays high, no drop
Meaning: to cry (animal)
Conjugation
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| masu-form (polite) | 鳴きます | なきます |
| te-form | 鳴いて | ないて |
| ta-form (past) | 鳴いた | ないた |
| nai-form (negative) | 鳴かない | なかない |
| potential form | 鳴ける | なける |
See the full conjugation table for "鳴く" →
Example sentences
- 朝早くから、庭で鳥が鳴いている。 — Birds have been singing in the garden since early morning.
- おなかがすいて、猫が鳴いている。 — The cat is meowing because it's hungry.
Idioms & proverbs containing “鳴く”
- 鳴く猫は鼠を捕らぬ (なくねこはねずみをとらぬ) — empty vessels make the most sound; the meowing cat does not catch the mouse
- 鳴く蝉よりも鳴かぬ蛍が身を焦がす (なくせみよりもなかぬほたるがみをこがす) — empty vessels make the most noise; the silent firefly burns with more passion than the crying cicada
- 閑古鳥が鳴く (かんこどりがなく) — to be quiet (due to lack of activity); to be in a slump (of a business)
- 腹の虫が鳴く (はらのむしがなく) — one's stomach rumbles; one's stomach growls
Related words
See it used in real works
- Example sentences from Japanese novels & web fiction (Massif)
- Hear “鳴く” pronounced in real videos (YouGlish)