How to say "scream" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 叫ぶさけぶgodan verb, intransitive verbThe general verb for raising one's voice loudly: to shout, cry out, or scream. Use it when the screaming itself is the action, whether from fear, anger, or excitement.
- 絶叫ぜっきょうnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbA noun for a scream at full volume: intense, sustained screaming, the kind heard on a roller coaster or from sheer terror.彼女は私が悪いと絶叫した。↗She screamed that I was to blame.
- 悲鳴ひめいnounA noun for a scream or shriek of fear, pain, or distress — the startled cry someone lets out when frightened or hurt. It is the natural choice for that alarmed, pained kind of scream.
- 叫び声さけびごえnounA noun for the sound itself: the shout, yell, or scream that others hear. Use it when describing or referring to the cry as a noise, as in hearing a scream from the next room.人々から叫び声があがった。↗A shout arose from the people.
- 泣き叫ぶなきさけぶgodan verb, intransitive verbA verb for screaming while crying — wailing and shouting at once, as someone overwhelmed by grief or terror. It is not the default word for a plain scream; use it when tears and screaming go together.
Use 「叫ぶ」 for the act of screaming or shouting aloud, 「叫び声」 for the sound itself, 悲鳴 for a scream of fear or pain, 絶叫 for screaming at full volume, and 「泣き叫ぶ」 for screaming while sobbing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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