Translation guide
The English phrase "tear up" has two main meanings: to rip something into pieces, and to become emotional with tears. This guide covers both, with natural Japanese equivalents for each.
To tear something, such as paper or cloth, into small pieces, often deliberately.
General verb for tearing or ripping something, such as paper or cloth. Can imply tearing into pieces or just tearing once.
To have one's eyes fill with tears, often due to strong emotion, without necessarily crying.
The verb 'tear' (to rip) and 'tear' (from crying) are different words in English. In Japanese, they are completely unrelated: 破る (yaburu) for ripping, and 涙 (namida) for tears.
He tore up the letter.
この紙を破ってください。
Please tear up this paper.
To tear apart with force, often used for cloth or strong materials. More emphatic than 破る.
彼女は怒って手紙を引き裂いた。
She angrily tore up the letter.
To tear something to shreds, often used figuratively or for complete destruction.
犬が新聞をずたずたにした。
The dog tore the newspaper to shreds.
To be on the verge of tears; eyes become moist. Common for emotional moments.
感動して涙ぐんだ。
I teared up with emotion.
彼女の話を聞いて涙ぐんだ。
I teared up listening to her story.
Eyes become watery or misty. Often used for tears from emotion or physical irritation.
彼の言葉に目が潤んだ。
My eyes teared up at his words.
Literally 'tears seem about to come out'. A straightforward way to say you are about to cry.
映画を見て涙が出そうになった。
I almost teared up watching the movie.