Translation guide
A physical reaction to pain, discomfort, or embarrassment, often involving a slight flinch or grimace.
To react physically to a sudden pain or sharp sensation, like pulling back or tensing up.
To make a pained facial expression, often with a slight tightening of the face.
To grimace or make a sour face, often from pain, disgust, or discomfort. The most common way to describe a wincing expression.
痛みで顔をしかめた。
I winced in pain.
To show a slight physical reaction to something embarrassing, cringeworthy, or socially uncomfortable.
To involuntarily grimace, often from secondhand embarrassment or an awkward moment.
彼の失敗に思わず顔をしかめた。
I winced at his mistake.
Both mean to flinch, but ひるむ is more about a mental hesitation or momentary fear, while たじろぐ often involves a physical step back or stagger. ひるむ is more common in everyday speech.
彼は困難にひるまない。
He doesn't flinch from difficulties.
突然の光にたじろいだ。
I winced at the sudden light.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'wince'. Using a direct translation like ウィンスする is not natural. Instead, describe the physical reaction using phrases like 顔をしかめる or ひるむ depending on context.
歯医者に痛む歯を触られて、彼女は顔をしかめた。
She winced as the dentist touched the sore tooth.
彼は自分の恥ずかしいスピーチを思い出して顔をしかめた。
He winced at the memory of his embarrassing speech.
I winced at the sight of the needle.
To stagger back or flinch, often from shock or an unexpected attack. Slightly more dramatic than ひるむ.
彼はその言葉にたじろいだ。
He winced at those words.
To shrink back or cower, literally 'shrink one's body'. Implies a defensive flinch.
大きな音に身をすくめた。
I winced at the loud noise.
To frown or knit one's brows, often in pain or disapproval. Can be used for a wincing expression.
彼は傷の痛みに眉をひそめた。
He winced at the pain from the wound.
To be put off or recoil emotionally; slang for cringing. Often used when something is awkward or embarrassing.
その発言にちょっと引いた。
I winced a bit at that remark.
A feeling of shrinking back, often from shame or fear. More literary.
自分の失態に身のすくむ思いだった。
I winced at my own blunder.