Translation guide
Describes something becoming physically twisted, distorted, or bent out of shape, as well as metaphorical twisting of personality, thoughts, or situations.
To describe an object, body part, or material becoming twisted, bent, or warped, often unintentionally or due to force.
Intransitive verb meaning to become twisted, kinked, or warped. Used for objects like wires, ropes, or limbs twisting out of shape.
ワイヤーがねじれてしまった。
The wire got twisted.
足首がねじれて痛い。
My ankle twisted and it hurts.
Intransitive verb meaning to become warped, distorted, or bent out of its original shape. Often used for frames, faces, or shapes losing their proper form.
額縁が湿気でゆがんだ。
The picture frame became warped from humidity.
痛みで顔がゆがんだ。
His face twisted in pain.
Intransitive verb meaning to bend or curve. Can imply twisting when something bends out of its normal straight line.
この定規は熱で曲がった。
This ruler became bent from the heat.
Intransitive verb meaning to become twisted or kinked, often in a more tangled or irregular way than ねじれる. Less common.
糸がよじれてほどけない。
The thread got twisted and won't come undone.
To describe a person's character, mind, or a situation becoming distorted, perverse, or going wrong.
Intransitive verb meaning to become twisted, warped, or perverse, especially referring to personality or mindset. Implies a negative, stubborn distortion.
彼は性格がねじけている。
He has a twisted personality.
ひねくれた考え方
a twisted way of thinking
Also used metaphorically for things like relationships, perceptions, or emotions becoming distorted.
Intransitive verb meaning to become perverse, cynical, or contrary. Often used for a person's attitude turning sour or twisted.
To describe a body or object twisting itself into a different shape, often deliberately or as a reaction.
Transitive/intransitive verb meaning to twist, wrench, or contort. Often used for body movements or twisting something forcefully.
体をよじって狭い隙間を通った。
I twisted my body to get through the narrow gap.
Intransitive verb meaning to twist, curve, or wiggle. Often describes a winding path or a body twisting sinuously.
ねじれる implies a spiral or kink-like twist, like a twisted ankle or wire. ゆがむ suggests a distortion from an original shape, like a warped frame or a face twisted in pain. 曲がる simply means to bend or curve, not necessarily a complex twist.
English 'twisted' can be metaphorical (twisted mind) or physical. In Japanese, different verbs are used. Using ねじれる for a twisted personality would sound odd; use ねじける or ひねくれる instead.
Love became twisted into hatred.
彼はすっかりひねくれてしまった。
He has become completely twisted (cynical).
The road twists and turns.