To cry 鳴く, To chirp 鳴く, To sing like a bird 鳴く, To sing like an insect 鳴く, To cry like a cat 鳴く

To sing like a bird 鳴く

To sing like a bird 鳴く

猫は鳴く！ねこはなく

neko wa naku  

a cat meows/chirps/cries

ミミズは鳴く！ミミズはなく

mimizu wa naku  

What?! Worms chirp?  Really?   Naaahh…
Although they say birds can hear worms…
“The hills are alive with the sound of …”  (sorry, getting carried away)

鳴く虫　なくむし

naku mushi   chirping insects

There is another expression in Japanese: 鳴き虫 なきむし. This has quite a different meaning. It means crying bug, or in English ‘cry baby‘. This is someone who cries easily over nothing.

Japanese have a something about bugs: 弱虫 よわむし A weak bug, or a weakling. Someone who lacks courage and strength, but mainly courage.

(photos from internet for educational purposes)