Translation guide
The English word 'scream' covers a range of loud, high-pitched vocalizations, from fear and pain to excitement and anger. Japanese has several verbs and nouns that map to different aspects of screaming, and the best choice depends on the emotion, volume, and context.
To express a sudden, involuntary loud cry due to intense emotion like terror or agony.
The most common and natural way to say 'scream' in the sense of a shriek or yell from fear, pain, or shock. Literally 'raise a scream'.
彼女は恐怖で悲鳴を上げた。
She screamed in terror.
急に誰かが肩を叩いたので、思わず悲鳴を上げてしまった。
Someone suddenly tapped my shoulder, and I screamed involuntarily.
A general verb for shouting or yelling loudly. Can be used for screaming, but is broader and often implies a deliberate loud cry rather than an involuntary shriek.
彼は助けを求めて叫んだ。
He screamed for help.
A more intense, literary word for screaming or shrieking at the top of one's lungs, often from extreme emotion like despair or rage.
彼は絶望のあまり絶叫した。
He screamed in despair.
To express a loud, enthusiastic yell, often in a positive context like at a concert or celebration.
Specifically for a cheer or joyful shout. Often used for crowds at events.
観客は歓声を上げた。
The audience screamed with excitement.
Can also be used for excited yelling, but is less specific than 歓声を上げる.
ファンは彼の名前を叫んだ。
The fans screamed his name.
To express a scream that conveys rage or extreme irritation.
To describe a sound resembling a human scream, such as from an animal, machine, or wind.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a scream-like sound'. Used for sirens, screeching tires, etc.
タイヤが悲鳴のような音を立てた。
The tires made a screaming sound.
Literally 'shout voice', can be used for animal cries that resemble screaming, like a monkey or bird.
猿の叫び声が聞こえた。
I heard the scream of a monkey.
To utter words in a screaming manner.
The most common verb for shouting words loudly. Can be used with quoted speech.
彼は「助けて！」と叫んだ。
He screamed, 'Help!'
Used when screaming words in anger, often at someone.
Referring to the scream as a thing.
The most common noun for a scream of fear, pain, or surprise.
突然、悲鳴が聞こえた。
Suddenly, I heard a scream.
A more general noun for a shout or yell; can be a scream depending on context.
A noun for a very loud, piercing scream or shriek, often used in dramatic contexts.
悲鳴 (himei) is specifically a shriek or scream from fear, pain, or surprise. 叫び声 (sakebigoe) is a more general shout or yell, which can be a scream but isn't necessarily high-pitched or involuntary. 絶叫 (zekkyou) is an intense, often desperate scream, used in literature or dramatic descriptions.
悲鳴 implies fear or pain, not anger. For screaming in anger, use 怒鳴る (donaru) or 叫ぶ (sakebu) with context.
She screamed in anger.
She screamed at me, 'Get out!'
彼の叫び声が部屋中に響いた。
His scream echoed through the room.
絶叫が静寂を破った。
A scream broke the silence.