Translation guide
How to express the action of swallowing quickly or in large amounts, often due to nervousness, surprise, or drinking eagerly.
To describe the physical act of swallowing hard when anxious, scared, or surprised.
Literally 'to drink one's breath', this is the most common way to describe a sharp intake of breath from shock or fear, often accompanied by a gulp.
彼女はその知らせを聞いて息をのんだ。
She gulped when she heard the news.
Literally 'to swallow raw saliva', used when nervousness or anticipation makes you gulp audibly.
面接の前で、生唾を飲み込んだ。
I gulped before the interview.
Onomatopoeia for a single, audible gulp, often used in manga or casual speech.
彼はごくりと唾を飲んだ。
He gulped audibly.
To describe drinking something quickly, greedily, or in big swallows.
Onomatopoeic adverb meaning to drink in large gulps, often used for beer or water when very thirsty.
彼はビールをがぶがぶ飲んだ。
He gulped down the beer.
Means 'to drink in one go', similar to chugging or downing a drink.
水を一気に飲んだ。
I gulped down the water.
Onomatopoeia for repeated gulping sounds, often used when drinking thirstily.
子供が牛乳をごくごく飲んでいる。
The child is gulping down milk.
To describe eating something by swallowing it whole or in large pieces.
Literally 'to swallow whole', used for food or pills taken without chewing.
彼は錠剤を丸飲みした。
He gulped down the pill.
General verb for swallowing, can imply a quick gulp when context suggests haste.
彼はパンを急いで飲み込んだ。
He gulped down the bread.
To describe holding back tears, anger, or a retort, often with a physical gulp.
Literally 'to swallow one's words', meaning to hold back what you were about to say.
彼は反論を飲み込んだ。
He gulped down his retort.
Literally 'to drink tears', a poetic way to say holding back tears.
彼女は涙を飲んで別れを告げた。
She gulped back her tears and said goodbye.
English 'gulp' covers both sound and action. Japanese often uses onomatopoeia (ごくり, がぶがぶ) or specific verbs. Using 飲む alone may not convey the urgency or emotion.