Translation guide
How to express flinching, wincing, or recoiling in Japanese, depending on whether it's from fear, pain, surprise, or hesitation.
To jerk back or recoil instinctively because of fear, a threat, or a sudden scary thing.
The most common verb for flinching or recoiling from fear or intimidation. Often used when someone hesitates or draws back.
彼は大きな音にひるんだ。
He flinched at the loud noise.
相手の強気な態度にひるまなかった。
She didn't flinch at her opponent's aggressive attitude.
To flinch or recoil, often with a sense of being overwhelmed or taken aback. Slightly more dramatic than ひるむ.
彼はその光景にたじろいだ。
He flinched at the sight.
Literally 'shrink one's body', used for cringing or flinching in fear, often with a physical shrinking motion.
犬が吠えて、彼は身をすくめた。
The dog barked and he flinched.
To wince or make a pained expression in response to physical pain or discomfort.
To grimace or wince, showing pain or disgust on one's face. Very common for flinching from pain.
注射のとき、彼は顔をしかめた。
He flinched when he got the injection.
傷に触れて、彼女は顔をしかめた。
She flinched when the wound was touched.
Specifically flinching from pain. Combines ひるむ with 痛み (pain).
彼は痛みにひるんだが、我慢した。
He flinched from the pain but endured it.
To jump or twitch involuntarily because of a sudden surprise.
To start or flinch from surprise. Describes a quick, involuntary jerk. Very common in casual speech.
急に肩を叩かれて、びくっとした。
I flinched when someone suddenly tapped my shoulder.
大きな雷の音にびくっとした。
I flinched at the loud thunder.
To be startled or flinch in surprise, often with a stronger sense of shock or fright.
突然の悲鳴にぎょっとした。
I flinched at the sudden scream.
To not show fear or hesitation; to remain resolute.
Adverbial form meaning 'without flinching'. Used to describe doing something bravely or without hesitation.
彼はひるまずに危険に立ち向かった。
He faced the danger without flinching.
To be unshaken or unfazed. Implies not flinching mentally or emotionally.
彼女はどんな批判にも動じない。
She doesn't flinch at any criticism.
ひるむ is general flinching from fear or intimidation. たじろぐ implies being overwhelmed and stepping back. びくっとする is a sudden, startled jerk, often from surprise rather than sustained fear.
The loanword フリンチ is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to native expressions.
ボールが顔の横を通過しても、彼はひるまなかった。
He didn't even flinch when the ball flew past his face.
歯医者がドリルを近づけると、彼女は顔をしかめた。
She flinched as the dentist brought the drill closer.