Translation guide
The English verb "rouse" covers waking someone from sleep, stirring emotions, and provoking action. Japanese uses different words depending on the nuance.
To cause someone to stop sleeping, often by calling or shaking them.
The most common and general word for waking someone up. Can be used for any method.
朝7時に起こしてください。
Please wake me up at 7 a.m.
彼を起こさないで。
Don't wake him up.
Literally 'make someone open their eyes'. More forceful or deliberate than 起こす.
大きな音が彼の目を覚まさせた。
A loud noise roused him from sleep.
Literary or poetic way to say 'rouse from sleep'.
小鳥のさえずりが彼女を眠りから覚ました。
The chirping of birds roused her from sleep.
To cause a strong feeling such as anger, curiosity, or excitement.
Used for stirring up emotions, curiosity, or imagination. Often used with 感情, 好奇心, 想像力.
その話は私の好奇心をかき立てた。
The story roused my curiosity.
彼の言葉は怒りをかき立てた。
His words roused anger.
To evoke or summon up a memory, feeling, or spirit. More about bringing something latent to the surface.
To incite or stir up, often with a negative connotation (e.g.,煽る for aggression). Can also mean to fan flames.
To cause someone to become active or to do something, often in a political or social context.
To spur or drive someone to action. Often used with 行動に (to action).
正義感が彼を行動に駆り立てた。
A sense of justice roused him to action.
To inspire or stir up courage, motivation. Often used reflexively (奮い立つ).
彼の言葉がチームを奮い立たせた。
His words roused the team.
To inspire or encourage, often in a formal or leadership context.
リーダーは人々を鼓舞した。
The leader roused the people.
To make someone more alert or energetic, often after being passive.
To energize or liven up. Used for people or atmospheres.
コーヒーが彼を活気づけた。
The coffee roused him.
To stimulate or excite. Can be used for mental or physical stimulation.
その議論が彼の知性を刺激した。
The debate roused his intellect.
Do not use 'rouse' as a direct translation for every context. For waking up, use 起こす; for emotions, use かき立てる or 呼び起こす. Using the wrong verb can sound unnatural.
起こす is the everyday word for waking someone. 目を覚まさせる implies a more forceful or sudden awakening, often by an external stimulus.
その音楽は懐かしい思い出を呼び起こした。
The music roused nostalgic memories.
His speech roused the crowd's anger.