Translation guide
Describes the act of crying with audible, convulsive breaths. Japanese has several words for crying, but 'sobbing' specifically emphasizes the sound and physical heaving. The most common and natural way to express this is すすり泣く or 泣きじゃくる, depending on the nuance.
To describe the act of sobbing, often with a focus on the sound or physical shaking.
The most direct equivalent. It means to cry while sniffling or sobbing quietly, often with a connotation of trying to suppress the sound. Suitable for both literary and everyday use.
To describe the audible sound of sobbing, often as a noun.
すすり泣く implies quieter, more restrained sobbing, often with sniffling. 泣きじゃくる suggests loud, uncontrollable sobbing with gasping. Choose based on the intensity and volume.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'sob' in all contexts. Using 泣く (to cry) alone may not convey the convulsive nature. Use the options above for precision.
彼女は映画を見ながらすすり泣いた。
She sobbed while watching the movie.
子供は母親の胸ですすり泣いた。
The child sobbed in his mother's arms.
Emphasizes violent, uncontrollable sobbing, often with gasping breaths. Common for describing children or intense emotional outbursts.
彼は悲しみで泣きじゃくった。
He sobbed with grief.
赤ちゃんが泣きじゃくってなかなか寝なかった。
The baby sobbed and wouldn't go to sleep.
Literally 'to cry raising one's voice'. It can imply sobbing loudly, but is broader and can just mean crying out loud. Use when the sobbing is particularly vocal.
彼女は声を上げて泣き始めた。
She started sobbing loudly.
To sob or weep while choking up. Conveys a sense of being overcome with emotion, often used in literary contexts.
彼はむせび泣きながら別れを告げた。
He sobbed out his farewell.
Kanji form of すすり泣く. Same meaning but more formal/written. Rarely used in casual writing.
彼女は啜り泣くのを必死にこらえた。
She desperately held back her sobbing.
Noun form of すすり泣く. Refers to the act or sound of sobbing.
隣の部屋からすすり泣きが聞こえた。
I could hear sobbing from the next room.
General term for crying voice or sound. Can refer to sobbing, but also to any crying sound. Context will clarify.
赤ちゃんの泣き声がして目が覚めた。
I woke up to the sound of a baby sobbing.
Literary term for sobbing or weeping sound. Often used in novels.
嗚咽が部屋に響いた。
Sobbing echoed through the room.