Translation guide
Describes a heart or pulse beating rapidly, often due to emotion, exertion, or excitement. Japanese uses onomatopoeia and descriptive phrases rather than a single verb.
Express that one's heart is pounding due to nervousness, anticipation, love, or fear.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a pounding heart, commonly used for excitement, nervousness, or romantic feelings.
彼を見ると胸がドキドキする。
My heart beats fast when I see him.
Literally 'chest rings high'; a slightly literary expression for heart throbbing with anticipation or excitement.
初めてのデートで胸が高鳴った。
My heart beat fast on my first date.
Onomatopoeia for a loud, fast heartbeat, often from fear or intense nervousness.
お化け屋敷で心臓がバクバクした。
My heart was beating fast in the haunted house.
Describe a rapid heartbeat after exercise or physical activity.
Uses the same onomatopoeia as emotional pounding, but context makes it about physical exertion.
走った後で心臓がドキドキしている。
My heart is beating fast after running.
Literally 'pulse is fast'; a more clinical or neutral description.
運動の後は脈が速くなる。
Your pulse beats fast after exercise.
Convey a distressing, uncontrollable fast heartbeat due to anxiety or a panic attack.
Refers to palpitations or a pounding heart, often used in medical or anxiety contexts.
緊張すると動悸がする。
My heart beats fast when I'm nervous.
Combines onomatopoeia with 'can't calm down' to emphasize the distress.
心臓がドキドキして落ち着かない。
My heart is beating fast and I can't calm down.
ドキドキ is the most common and versatile, used for excitement, love, and nervousness. バクバク implies a louder, more violent pounding, often from fear or shock. 動悸 is a more formal/medical term for palpitations and can carry a negative nuance of anxiety or health issues.
Avoid directly translating 'beat fast' as 速く打つ (hayaku utsu) or similar. It sounds unnatural. Use the onomatopoeic or set phrases above.