What's the difference between the kanji 聲 and 声?


I just started learning and I was wondering what is the difference between the
kanji 聲 and 声. They both mean voice when I looked it up in the dictionary and
are said the same way too. When would you use each one or are they
interchangeable?




聲 is the traditional version of 声, that was in common use (and indeed the sole
character) prior to language reforms that took place after WW2. It is now used
very uncommonly, although you might see it occasionally in art or literature
for aesthetic purposes (for example there is a recent animated film that uses
it).

Functionally (ie, in meaning and reading), there is no difference; it is
essentially the same character. However, you should stick to using 声 as it is
what will be used 99% of the time by native Japanese speakers, and using 聲
will probably make you seem pretentious, as it is entirely unnecessary, unless
you are trying to replicate an archaic style of Japanese.

