Translation guide
The English verb 'choke' has several distinct meanings: to be unable to breathe due to a blocked airway, to squeeze someone's neck, to fail under pressure, and to clog or obstruct something. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Express that someone is choking on food, liquid, or an object, or is suffocating due to external pressure on the throat.
General term for suffocation or choking, often used in medical or formal contexts. Can refer to choking on something or being strangled.
He choked on food and suffocated.
Literally 'to get stuck in the throat'. The most common way to describe choking on food or an object.
The child choked on a candy.
To choke or cough when food or drink goes down the wrong pipe. Often used for minor choking incidents.
I choked on water.
Literally 'breath gets blocked'. Describes the sensation of choking or being unable to breathe, often due to pressure on the chest or throat.
I choked on the smoke.
Express the act of strangling or choking someone with hands or an object.
Describe a situation where someone fails to perform well due to nervousness or pressure.
Literally 'to lose to pressure'. Commonly used in sports and performance contexts.
He choked under pressure in the crucial moment.
To get nervous or stage fright, leading to poor performance. Often used for public speaking or performances.
To fail due to nervousness. A more explicit way to describe choking under pressure.
Describe something blocking a pipe, road, or other passage, causing a stoppage.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be clogged' or 'to be blocked'. Used for pipes, drains, noses, etc.
The drain pipe is choked.
Transitive verb meaning 'to clog' or 'to block'. Used when something causes the blockage.
Hair choked the drain.
To block or obstruct a passage, road, or opening. Can be used for physical blockages.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all meanings of 'choke'. Using チョークする is not natural. Choose the expression based on the specific situation.
He choked. (unnatural)
のどに詰まらせる is used when an object is stuck in the throat, while むせる is used when liquid or food goes down the wrong pipe, causing coughing. Use むせる for minor incidents and 窒息する for serious suffocation.
I choked during the speech.
I choked from nerves and lost the match.
Falling rocks choked the road.