Translation guide
Expresses the experience of being so emotionally affected that one cries. Japanese has several common expressions ranging from straightforward to poetic.
I was so moved by that movie that I cried.
Means tears spill over, often implying being moved. Can be used with 感動して or on its own.
I was so happy that tears spilled over.
A somewhat literary or formal noun meaning 'tears of emotion'. Often used in writing or speeches.
I couldn't hold back tears of emotion at his speech.
Emphasizes the intensity of emotion, often with a sense of being overwhelmed and unable to control tears.
Specifically for tears caused by touching, heartwarming situations, often with a nuance of being deeply touched by kindness or beauty.
Literally 'chest becomes warm', a common expression for being deeply moved, often to the point of tears.
His kindness moved me to tears.
Means 'to be struck in the heart and cry'. Emphasizes the emotional impact.
Specifically for happy tears, often from relief, achievement, or overwhelming happiness.
Literally 'happy tears come out'. A straightforward way to say tears of joy.
I cried tears of joy when I saw the exam results.
Tears spill over from happiness. A slightly more emotional phrasing.
I was so happy about the surprise that tears spilled over.
For tears that come from sadness, grief, or a bittersweet feeling, often in response to tragic stories or farewells.
Simple and direct: 'I'm so sad that tears come out'.
I was moved to tears by the sad final scene of that movie.
For a poignant, heart-wrenching sadness that makes tears unstoppable.
感動する means 'to be moved' emotionally, but does not necessarily imply tears. To explicitly say you cried, combine it with 涙が出る or use other tear-specific phrases.
I was moved, but I didn't cry.
Adding 〜てしまう to the verb can emphasize that the tears came out unintentionally or despite trying to hold them back.
I was so moved I ended up crying (in spite of myself).
I was so touched by that story that I cried.
The farewell scene was so poignant I couldn't stop crying.