Translation guide
Describes crying with violent, uncontrollable body movements. Japanese uses mimetic words, verbs, and descriptive phrases to capture the sound, appearance, and intensity of convulsive sobbing.
To describe someone crying with heaving, shaking, or jerking movements, often with loud sounds.
Literally 'wail/cry loudly'. The most common and natural verb for intense, loud crying with convulsive movements. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
彼女は映画のラストシーンで号泣した。
She sobbed convulsively at the last scene of the movie.
To sob and hiccup uncontrollably, often with a runny nose. Emphasizes the physical, messy aspect of convulsive crying. Common in spoken language.
子どもはおもちゃを取られて泣きじゃくった。
The child sobbed convulsively after having his toy taken away.
To sob and choke up, often with suppressed voice. Conveys a more emotional, heart-wrenching convulsive crying. Slightly literary or dramatic.
彼は悲しみのあまりむせび泣いた。
He sobbed convulsively in his grief.
To cry with loud, wailing sobs. The onomatopoeic 'おいおい' mimics the sound of convulsive crying. Often used in literature or descriptive narratives.
彼女はおいおいと泣き崩れた。
She broke down sobbing convulsively.
To emphasize the physical shaking or trembling that accompanies convulsive sobbing.
Literally 'cry with trembling shoulders'. A very common and natural way to describe someone sobbing so hard their shoulders shake. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼女は肩を震わせて泣いていた。
She was sobbing convulsively, her shoulders shaking.
Similar to above but emphasizes the whole body shaking. Slightly more intense or dramatic.
彼は体を震わせて号泣した。
He sobbed convulsively, his whole body trembling.
To use sound-symbolic words that vividly depict the sound or manner of convulsive sobbing.
Onomatopoeia for loud, wailing crying like a child. 'わんわん' mimics the sound of unrestrained sobbing. Common in casual speech and children's contexts.
赤ちゃんがわんわん泣いている。
The baby is sobbing convulsively.
Onomatopoeia for continuous, whining sobs. 'えんえん' suggests a prolonged, pitiful crying sound. Often used for children or in literary descriptions.
迷子の子どもがえんえんと泣いていた。
The lost child was sobbing convulsively.
号泣 is the most general and widely used for loud, convulsive crying. 泣きじゃくる focuses on the messy, hiccuping aspect and is often used for children or uncontrolled sobbing. むせび泣く implies choked, emotional sobbing and is more literary. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.
English 'sob convulsively' is a specific phrase. Directly translating 'convulsively' as けいれんして (convulsing) would sound medical and unnatural. Use the verbs and phrases above instead.