How to say “cicada” in Japanese | 蝉 (せみ、セミ、semi)

The Japanese vocabulary「蝉 (せみ、セミ、semi)」means “cicada.” Please learn the pronunciation and the example sentences.

Japanese Vocabulary and the Meaning

Key Word蝉、セミ
Hiraganaせみ
Romaji Readingsemi
English Meaningcicada

The Correct Japanese Pronunciations

Please learn the pronunciation by watching the attached video. You can also learn example sentences.

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The Example Japanese Sentences

It is important to have skills in both non-honorific and honorific languages in order to use Japanese correctly.

A cicada has emerged.

Plain form:

セミが羽化うかした。
Semi ga uka shita.

Polite form:

セミが羽化しました。
Semi ga uka shimashita.


The cicadas have started to chirp.

Plain form:

セミがはじめた。
Semi ga naki hajimeta.

Polite form:

セミが鳴き始めました。
Semi ga naki hajimemashita.


I got peed on by a cicada.

Plain form:

セミにおしっこをかけられた。
Semi ni oshikko o kake rareta.

Polite form:

セミにおしっこをかけられました。
Semi ni oshikko o kake raremashita.


I’ve been collecting cicada shells.

Plain form:

セミのがらあつめている。
Semi no nukegara o atsumete iru.

Polite form:

セミの抜け殻を集めていいます。
Semi no nukegara o atsumete imasu.


The cicadas are so loud I can’t take a nap.

Plain form:

セミのこえがうるさくて昼寝ひるねができない。
Semi no koe ga urusakute hirune ga dekinai.

Polite form:

セミの声がうるさくて昼寝ができません。
Semi no koe ga urusakute hirune ga dekimasen.


The cicadas are so loud that I woke up early in the morning.

Plain form:

セミの声で朝早あさはやくにめた。
Semi no koe de asa hayaku ni megasameta.

Polite form:

セミの声で朝早くに目が覚めました。
Semi no koe de asa hayaku ni me ga samemashita.


Cicadas spend a lot of time underground.

Plain form:

せみは、つちなかにいる時間じかんながい。
Semi wa, tsuchi no naka ni iru jikan ga nagai.

Polite form:

蝉は、土の中にいる時間が長いです。
Semi wa, tsuchi no naka ni iru jikan ga nagai desu.


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