Translation guide
Describes twisting, squirming, or contorting movements, often from pain, discomfort, or strong emotion. Japanese uses different verbs depending on the cause and nature of the movement.
To describe a person or animal twisting their body uncontrollably due to physical pain or extreme discomfort.
Vividly describes rolling or thrashing around in agony. Often used for severe pain.
彼は腹痛でのたうち回った。
He was writhing in stomach pain.
Implies twisting one's body in anguish or emotional distress, not necessarily rolling around. Can also be used for strong emotional turmoil.
彼女は悲しみに身もだえした。
She writhed in sorrow.
Means to struggle or flail, often when trying to escape or resist. Can be used for writhing when combined with pain context.
彼は痛みにもがいた。
He writhed in pain.
To describe someone fidgeting or twisting their body due to emotional discomfort like shame or awkwardness.
Literally 'twist one's body'. Used for physical twisting, but can also describe squirming from embarrassment.
彼は恥ずかしさで身をよじった。
He writhed with embarrassment.
Describes fidgeting or squirming nervously, often from shyness or embarrassment. More about small, restless movements.
彼女はもじもじしながら質問に答えた。
She answered the question while writhing nervously.
To describe a tangled, moving mass of creatures or objects.
Describes a wriggling, squirming mass, like a heap of worms or snakes. Often used for creepy, crawling movements.
地面にはミミズがうごめいていた。
The ground was writhing with earthworms.
Colloquial, from のたくる (to wriggle). Often used for snakes or eels moving in a writhing manner.
ヘビが草むらでのたくっている。
A snake is writhing in the grass.
To describe twisting or squirming due to intense pleasure, often in a sensual context.
Literally 'make one's body wriggle'. Often used for sensual or coquettish movements.
彼女は快感に身をくねらせた。
She writhed in pleasure.
To writhe in agony or ecstasy. Strong emotional or physical sensation. Can be used for both pain and pleasure.
彼は喜びに悶えた。
He writhed with joy.
のたうち回る implies rolling or thrashing around, often on the ground, due to intense physical pain. 身もだえする is more about twisting the upper body and can be used for emotional pain or anguish without necessarily moving from the spot.
腹痛でのたうち回る
writhe around with a stomachache
恥ずかしさに身もだえする
writhe in embarrassment
English 'writhing' covers many nuances. Direct translation as 身をよじる might sound too physical or literal in some emotional contexts. Choose the verb that matches the cause (pain, embarrassment, pleasure, etc.).