Translation guide
The English word 'groaning' can refer to a low sound of pain, discomfort, or effort, or to complaining in a grumbling way. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for both physical groaning and figurative complaining.
To express a low, deep sound made when in pain, struggling, or exerting effort.
The most common verb for groaning in pain or discomfort. Often used for someone who is injured or sick.
彼は痛みでうめいた。
He groaned in pain.
患者がベッドでうめいている。
The patient is groaning in bed.
Can mean to groan, growl, or moan. Often implies a deeper, more resonant sound, sometimes from effort or frustration.
重い荷物を持ち上げながら、彼はうなった。
He groaned as he lifted the heavy luggage.
Literally 'to let out a groan/growl'. More descriptive and less common in everyday speech.
彼は苦しそうに唸り声をあげた。
He let out a groan of agony.
To express dissatisfaction or annoyance in a low, muttering way.
To mutter complaints or grumble under one's breath. Very common for expressing discontent quietly.
彼はいつも仕事についてぶつぶつ言っている。
He's always groaning about work.
文句をぶつぶつ言うのはやめて。
Stop groaning about it.
To complain or grumble, often to someone else. Slightly more colloquial than ぶつぶつ言う.
A more formal way to say 'complain'. Not specifically 'groan', but can be used in contexts of grumbling.
彼はいつも食事に不平を言う。
He always groans about the food.
To describe a low, creaking noise made by objects under stress, like wood or metal.
Used for creaking or groaning sounds of floors, doors, furniture, etc.
古い床がきしんだ。
The old floor groaned.
風で木の枝がきしんでいる。
The tree branches are groaning in the wind.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a repeated creaking or groaning sound.
その椅子は座るたびにギシギシ音を立てる。
That chair groans every time you sit on it.
うめく is specifically for groaning in pain or discomfort, often with a closed mouth. うなる can also mean to growl or roar, and is used for deeper, more resonant sounds, sometimes from effort or anger.
彼は怪我でうめいた。
He groaned from his injury.
ライオンがうなった。
The lion growled.
うめく is only for physical groaning. To express complaining or grumbling, use ぶつぶつ言う or 愚痴る instead.
She was groaning about her low salary.