Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing shivering depends on the cause—cold, fear, excitement, or illness—and the intensity. The most common word is 震える (furueru), but there are more specific terms and onomatopoeia.
To describe the physical reaction to cold, such as trembling or shaking.
General verb for trembling or shivering, often from cold, fear, or emotion. Can be used for both body parts and the whole body.
寒くて体が震える。
I'm so cold my body is shivering.
手が震えて字がうまく書けない。
My hands are shivering so much I can't write properly.
Noun form of 震える, meaning shivering or trembling.
寒さで震えが止まらない。
I can't stop shivering from the cold.
Onomatopoeic phrase for shivering violently, often from cold or fear. ガタガタ mimics the chattering sound.
寒くてガタガタ震えている。
I'm shivering like crazy from the cold.
To be chilled to the bone, often implying numbness rather than visible shivering. More intense and literary.
凍えるような寒さだ。
It's so cold it makes you shiver to the bone.
To describe trembling caused by fear, anxiety, or extreme nervousness.
Same verb as for cold, but context makes the cause clear. Often used with 怖くて (scared) or 緊張して (nervous).
怖くて足が震えた。
My legs were shivering with fear.
緊張で声が震えている。
My voice is trembling from nervousness.
Onomatopoeic phrase for trembling lightly or continuously, often from fear or cold. ブルブル suggests a softer, quicker tremble than ガタガタ.
子犬が怖がってブルブル震えている。
The puppy is shivering with fear.
A strong, often literary noun for shuddering or shivering, typically from horror or deep fear. Not used for cold.
To describe a shiver caused by strong positive emotions like excitement, anticipation, or awe.
Again, the general verb works with context like 感動して (moved) or 興奮して (excited).
感動で体が震えた。
My body shivered with emotion.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a thrilling shiver, like goosebumps from excitement or a good story. Often positive.
この曲を聴くとゾクゾクする。
This song gives me shivers (of excitement).
Literally 'warrior's shiver', meaning trembling from excitement or anticipation before a big event, like a performance or competition.
To describe shivering as a symptom of sickness, such as chills from a fever.
Medical term for chills or shivering fits associated with fever. Often used as 悪寒がする.
風邪をひいて悪寒がする。
I have a cold and I'm getting the chills.
Can also be used for fever chills, but 悪寒 is more precise.
震える is the general verb for shivering. 震え上がる (ふるえあがる) means to tremble violently or be terrified, often used for extreme fear. It's more intense and less common for cold.
彼はその知らせを聞いて震え上がった。
He trembled with fear upon hearing the news.
The English exclamation 'shiver me timbers' is a pirate expression and has no direct Japanese equivalent. It would be translated as an expression of surprise, like なんてこった (what the heck).
その話を聞いて戦慄が走った。
A shiver ran down my spine when I heard that story.
試合前に武者震いがする。
I'm shivering with anticipation before the match.
熱で震えている。
I'm shivering with fever.