Translation guide
The English word 'whizz' can refer to a rapid movement with a sound, a person who is highly skilled, or an act of urination. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Describe something or someone moving very fast, often with a whooshing or buzzing sound.
An onomatopoeic adverb mimicking the sound of something cutting through the air quickly. Often used with verbs like 走る (run) or 飛ぶ (fly).
車がビュンと走り去った。
The car whizzed away.
Onomatopoeia for a swift, sharp sound, like something slicing through air. Slightly lighter than ビュンと.
Refer to someone who is exceptionally good at something, a 'whizz' at a particular skill.
Informal, often childish term for urinating.
Childish or informal phrase for urinating. Equivalent to 'go pee' or 'take a whizz'.
ちょっとおしっこをしてくる。
I'm going to take a whizz.
More direct and crude term for urinating. Can be used among close male friends but is generally impolite.
The phrase 'whizz kid' is often translated as 神童 (shindou, child prodigy) or 天才少年 (tensai shounen, genius boy). Do not use ビュンと or sound-related words for this meaning.
矢がシュッと飛んでいった。
The arrow whizzed through the air.
Describes a quick, smooth movement without emphasizing the sound. More about the speed and lightness.
彼はさっと部屋を出て行った。
He whizzed out of the room.
A master or expert in a field. Can be used for various skills, from martial arts to computer programming.
彼はコンピューターの達人だ。
He's a computer whizz.
A recognized master, often in traditional arts or games like shogi or go. Implies a high level of acclaim.
彼女は料理の名人だ。
She's a whizz in the kitchen.
Genius; often used more loosely in casual speech to mean someone incredibly talented or a natural.
数学の天才だね。
You're a math whizz, aren't you?
Loanword 'specialist'. Used in professional contexts, e.g., IT specialist. Less colloquial than 達人.
彼はITのスペシャリストです。
He's an IT whizz.
小便してくるわ。
Gonna take a whizz.