Translation guide
Describes loud, unrestrained crying, often with a negative or childish connotation. Japanese expressions vary by intensity, formality, and whether the crying is of a baby, child, or adult.
To describe someone crying loudly and uncontrollably, often with a negative nuance.
A common verb meaning to cry and shout at the same time, implying loud, emotional crying. Suitable for both children and adults.
赤ちゃんが泣き叫んでいる。
The baby is bawling.
彼女は悲しみで泣き叫んだ。
She bawled in grief.
Means to cry loudly and violently, often used for intense sobbing. Slightly more formal or literary than 泣き叫ぶ.
彼は映画を見て号泣した。
He bawled his eyes out watching the movie.
Literally 'cry in a loud voice'. A straightforward, neutral description of loud crying.
子供が大声で泣いていた。
The child was bawling loudly.
An onomatopoeic expression for loud, unrestrained crying, like a child's wailing. Often used for babies or young children.
赤ちゃんがわんわん泣いている。
The baby is bawling its head off.
Specifically for the loud, piercing cry of an infant or toddler.
Means to cry and scream in a tantrum-like way. Strongly associated with children's bawling.
子供がおもちゃを取られて泣きわめいた。
The child bawled when his toy was taken away.
Onomatopoeic for a baby's loud, harsh crying. Very colloquial.
隣の赤ちゃんがぎゃあぎゃあ泣いている。
The neighbor's baby is bawling loudly.
When 'bawling' means shouting or yelling, not crying.
To shout angrily. Often used when someone is yelling at another person.
彼は部下に怒鳴った。
He bawled at his subordinate.
To shout or yell, not necessarily in anger. Can be used for loud exclamations.
English 'bawling' can mean either loud crying or loud shouting. Japanese distinguishes these clearly. Using 泣く (to cry) for shouting will be incorrect. Choose the option based on context.
He bawled for help.