響く

• Reading: ひびく
• Romaji: hibiku
• Kanji breakdown: 響 (kyou/hibi) — echo, sound, resound
• Pronunciation: /çi.bi.kɯ/

Meaning

To resound; to echo; to be heard far away. Describes sounds that carry, reverberate, or have a lasting impact.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the く row. Beyond literal sound, it is used figuratively to mean 'to have an impact' or 'to affect deeply,' as in 心に響く (to resonate in one's heart). Also used for physical vibration and the spread of influence.

Examples

1. 花火の音が山に響いた。 The sound of the fireworks echoed through the mountains.
2. あの映画の音楽は今でも心に響く。 The music from that movie still resonates with me today.
3. 隣の部屋の音楽がここまで響いてくる。 The music from the next room carries all the way over here.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, music, emotion

Tone: evocative

Origin & History

The kanji 響 depicts a village (郷) with sound (音), evoking the image of sound echoing across a settlement.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal