Translation guide
The English word 'choking' can refer to a medical emergency where the airway is blocked, or to failing under pressure in sports or performance. This guide covers both meanings with natural Japanese expressions.
To describe someone choking on food or an object, or to say that you are choking.
General term for suffocation or choking due to airway obstruction. Used in medical contexts.
彼は食べ物をのどに詰まらせて窒息した。
He choked on food and suffocated.
Literally 'to get stuck in the throat'. Commonly used for choking on food or objects.
To describe someone who fails to perform well in a high-pressure situation, such as in sports or an exam.
Literally 'to lose to pressure'. Commonly used for choking in sports or performance.
彼は大事な試合でプレッシャーに負けた。
He choked in the big game.
子供がおもちゃをのどに詰まらせた。
The child choked on a toy.
To choke or cough when food or drink goes down the wrong pipe. Less severe than full obstruction.
水を飲んでむせた。
I choked on water.
Literally 'breath gets blocked'. Can describe choking or a feeling of suffocation.
煙で息が詰まった。
I choked on the smoke.
To get nervous or tense up, leading to poor performance. Often used in performance contexts.
スピーチであがってしまった。
I choked during the speech.
To fail due to nervousness. A more explicit way to describe choking under pressure.
試験で緊張で失敗した。
I choked on the exam because I was nervous.