Translation guide
The physical or emotional act of pulling back suddenly, often from fear, disgust, or shock.
To suddenly move your body away from something frightening, painful, or unpleasant.
To flinch or recoil physically or mentally, often from fear or intimidation. Commonly used when someone hesitates or draws back.
To feel a strong aversion or repulsion, causing you to pull away mentally.
To shudder or recoil in horror or disgust. Very common for strong negative reactions.
その残酷な話にぞっとした。
I recoiled at the cruel story.
彼の無神経な発言にぞっとした。
I recoiled at his insensitive remark.
The backward movement of a gun when fired.
ひるむ is more about flinching or hesitating due to fear, while たじろぐ implies a more visible staggering back from shock or intimidation. ひるむ is more common in everyday speech.
Direct translations like 後退する (to retreat) are not natural for the sudden, reactive movement of recoiling. Use the options above for physical or emotional flinching.
He recoiled from his opponent's punch.
大きな音にひるんでしまった。
I flinched at the loud noise.
To recoil or stagger back, often from surprise or shock. Slightly more dramatic than ひるむ.
彼の剣幕にたじろいだ。
I recoiled at his fury.
To bend backward or recoil physically, often in surprise or disgust. Literally 'to lean back'.
彼女はその臭いにのけぞった。
She recoiled from the smell.
To pull back or withdraw one's body; can be used for recoiling from danger or an unpleasant situation.
彼は熱いストーブから身を引いた。
He recoiled from the hot stove.
Colloquial; to be put off or recoil emotionally. Often used in casual speech.
その冗談はちょっと引いた。
I kind of recoiled at that joke.
To feel disgust or revulsion; a more formal or written expression for recoiling emotionally.
彼の行動に嫌悪感を抱いた。
I recoiled in disgust at his behavior.
Recoil or kickback of a firearm. Also used for reaction or backlash in other contexts.
この銃は反動が強い。
This gun has a strong recoil.
Loanword from English 'kickback', used in technical or hobby contexts.
ライフルのキックバックに注意してください。
Be careful of the rifle's recoil.