Translation guide
Describes physical shaking, often from cold, fear, excitement, or weakness. Japanese has several words that distinguish the cause and type of trembling.
To describe a person or body part shaking involuntarily due to cold, fear, or nervousness.
General verb for trembling or shivering, often from cold, fear, or emotion. Can be used for the whole body or specific parts.
寒さで体が震えた。
My body trembled from the cold.
恐怖で声が震えていた。
Her voice was trembling with fear.
Noun form of 震える, meaning a tremble or shiver.
手の震えが止まらない。
The trembling in my hands won't stop.
To tremble violently, often from extreme fear or cold. More intense than 震える.
彼は恐怖で震え上がった。
He trembled violently with fear.
To express a trembling feeling caused by excitement, joy, or anticipation.
Also used for trembling from strong positive emotions like excitement or joy.
嬉しさで胸が震えた。
My heart trembled with joy.
Literally 'warrior's trembling', a phrase for trembling with excitement or nervous anticipation before a big event.
To describe trembling caused by physical weakness, illness, or old age.
Can also be used for trembling due to physical frailty.
年を取って手が震えるようになった。
As I got older, my hands started trembling.
An older, more literary word for trembling, often from weakness or fear. Rare in modern conversation.
To describe inanimate things shaking or vibrating, like the ground, buildings, or leaves.
General verb for shaking, swaying, or trembling of objects. Not typically used for human trembling.
地震で建物が揺れた。
The building trembled in the earthquake.
風で木の葉が揺れている。
The leaves are trembling in the wind.
Technical term for vibration or tremor, often used for machinery or earthquakes.
機械が震動している。
The machine is trembling/vibrating.
震える (furueru) is for living things trembling from cold, fear, or emotion. 揺れる (yureru) is for objects shaking or swaying. Using 震える for objects sounds poetic or personifying.
彼女の手が震えている。
Her hands are trembling.
電車が揺れている。
The train is shaking.
震える implies involuntary trembling. For intentional shaking (like shaking a bottle), use 振る (furu).
試合前に武者震いがする。
I'm trembling with excitement before the match.
The old man's voice was trembling.