How to say "crying" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- noun, suru verbCovers crying or weeping, but it is an uncommon word; for everyday crying it is seldom the word learners actually want.
- 流涕りゅうていnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers crying, and one of its senses is the medical term 'delacrimation'; an uncommon word, it is not the usual choice for everyday crying.
- ぐずり泣きぐずりなきnounThe crying of a peevish baby — fretful, whimpering fussing. Think of a parent trying to soothe a fractious infant who will not settle.
- interjection, adverb (with と)An onomatopoeic word for the cry of a newborn — the 'whaaa' a baby lets out. Use it for describing or quoting that cry, not for crying in general.
- adverbAn onomatopoeic word whose core sense is straining with physical exertion — groaning, huffing and puffing. Its 'crying' sense is marginal, so it is seldom the word you want for crying.
Choose 「ぐずり泣き」 for a peevish baby's fretful crying and 「オギャー」 for a newborn's cry; 「モニュモニュ」 and 流涕 also mean crying but are uncommon, and 「ひーこら」 is really about straining and groaning.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
