Translation guide
Describes a heart or pulse beating rapidly, often due to emotion, exertion, or excitement. Japanese uses onomatopoeia and descriptive phrases rather than a single verb.
Express that one's heart is pounding due to nervousness, anticipation, love, or fear.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a pounding heart, commonly used for excitement, nervousness, or romantic feelings.
My heart beats fast when I see him.
Literally 'chest rings high'; a slightly literary expression for heart throbbing with anticipation or excitement.
My heart beat fast on my first date.
Onomatopoeia for a loud, fast heartbeat, often from fear or intense nervousness.
My heart was beating fast in the haunted house.
Describe a rapid heartbeat after exercise or physical activity.
Convey a distressing, uncontrollable fast heartbeat due to anxiety or a panic attack.
Refers to palpitations or a pounding heart, often used in medical or anxiety contexts.
My heart beats fast when I'm nervous.
Combines onomatopoeia with 'can't calm down' to emphasize the distress.
ドキドキ is the most common and versatile, used for excitement, love, and nervousness. バクバク implies a louder, more violent pounding, often from fear or shock. 動悸 is a more formal/medical term for palpitations and can carry a negative nuance of anxiety or health issues.
Avoid directly translating 'beat fast' as 速く打つ (hayaku utsu) or similar. It sounds unnatural. Use the onomatopoeic or set phrases above.
My heart is beating fast and I can't calm down.