Translation guide
The English word 'reel' has several distinct meanings: a spool for winding flexible material, a whirling or staggering motion, a type of dance, and a feeling of shock or confusion. This guide covers the most common ways to express these ideas in Japanese.
A cylindrical object around which thread, wire, film, fishing line, or hose is wound.
The most common and versatile word for a reel, used for fishing reels, film reels, hose reels, etc. A loanword from English.
釣り竿に新しいリールを付けた。
I attached a new reel to the fishing rod.
映画のフィルムは大きなリールに巻かれている。
The movie film is wound on a large reel.
A more technical term for a winding frame or spool, often used in industrial or textile contexts.
糸を巻き枠に巻き取る。
Wind the thread onto the spool.
Specifically refers to a spool, often for thread or fishing line. Less common than リール.
ミシンのスプールに糸をセットする。
Set the thread on the sewing machine's spool.
To sway or walk unsteadily, as if about to fall, often due to shock, dizziness, or intoxication.
Describes stumbling or staggering, often from a blow, shock, or drunkenness. Intransitive verb.
彼はパンチを受けてよろめいた。
He reeled from the punch.
彼女はその知らせを聞いてよろめいた。
She reeled at the news.
To feel dizzy or unsteady on one's feet; often used for lightheadedness or intoxication.
To wobble or be unsteady; can refer to physical staggering or metaphorical instability.
To feel mentally overwhelmed, confused, or dizzy due to surprise, shock, or strong emotion.
Literally 'head feels dizzy', used for mental reeling from shock or confusion.
そのニュースを聞いて頭がくらくらした。
I reeled when I heard the news.
To feel dizzy or have vertigo; can be used for physical or emotional dizziness.
あまりの驚きにめまいがした。
I reeled from the shock.
To be shaken or upset emotionally; implies mental disturbance rather than physical staggering.
彼はその知らせに動揺した。
He was reeling from the news.
A lively folk dance of Scottish or Irish origin, or the music for it.
The dance itself is called リール, a direct loanword. Often used in the context of Irish or Scottish music.
アイリッシュ・リールを踊りましょう。
Let's dance an Irish reel.
In English, 'reel' can mean both physical staggering and emotional shock. In Japanese, different words are used: よろめく for physical staggering, and 動揺する or 頭がくらくらする for emotional reeling. Using the wrong one can sound unnatural.
彼はよろめいたが、動揺はしなかった。
He staggered but wasn't emotionally shaken.
酒を飲みすぎてふらついた。
I drank too much and was reeling.
地震で建物がぐらついた。
The building reeled in the earthquake.