Translation guide
The English word 'convulsions' refers to sudden, violent, irregular movements of the body caused by involuntary muscle contractions. In Japanese, the most common and general term is けいれん (痙攣), but there are several other words and expressions depending on the context, such as medical terminology, seizures, or figurative use.
To refer to convulsions or muscle spasms in a medical or general context.
The most common and general term for convulsions or muscle spasms. Used in both medical and everyday contexts.
彼は突然痙攣を起こした。
He suddenly had convulsions.
熱性痙攣は子供によく見られる。
Febrile convulsions are common in children.
A more colloquial term for convulsions, especially in children. Often used by parents or in non-medical settings.
子供が引きつけを起こして慌てた。
I panicked when my child had convulsions.
Refers to a seizure or fit, often associated with epilepsy. Can be used for convulsive seizures.
てんかん発作で痙攣が起きた。
Convulsions occurred due to an epileptic seizure.
To specifically refer to convulsions caused by epilepsy.
The standard term for an epileptic seizure, which often includes convulsions.
彼はてんかん発作を抑える薬を飲んでいる。
He takes medicine to control epileptic seizures.
The disease epilepsy itself. Often used in combination with 発作.
To describe a state of uncontrollable laughter or emotional outburst, similar to 'convulsions of laughter'.
Literally 'can't stop laughing', used to describe a fit of uncontrollable laughter.
彼の冗談で笑いが止まらなかった。
I couldn't stop laughing at his joke.
To burst out laughing; to laugh uproariously. Conveys a sudden, intense laughter.
そのコントを見て爆笑した。
I burst out laughing at the comedy sketch.
To refer to a sudden, painful muscle contraction, like a cramp or charley horse.
Specifically a calf cramp or charley horse. Very common term.
夜中にこむら返りが起きて痛かった。
I got a calf cramp in the middle of the night and it hurt.
General term for muscle spasm or cramp. More formal/medical.
運動後に筋肉の痙攣が起こることがある。
Muscle spasms can occur after exercise.
A colloquial term for muscle cramp, often used as a verb 攣る (つる).
足が攣った！
My leg cramped up!
痙攣 (けいれん) is the general medical term for convulsions or spasms. 引きつけ (ひきつけ) is a colloquial term often used for convulsions in children. 発作 (ほっさ) refers to a seizure or fit, commonly associated with epilepsy, but can also be used for other paroxysmal attacks (e.g., asthma attack).
医者は「痙攣」と言うが、親は「引きつけ」と言うことが多い。
Doctors say 'keiren', but parents often say 'hikitsuke'.
While English can say 'convulsions of laughter', Japanese 痙攣 is primarily medical. For uncontrollable laughter, use phrases like 笑いが止まらない or 爆笑する.
癲癇の症状として痙攣が現れる。
Convulsions appear as a symptom of epilepsy.
To roll with laughter; to laugh so hard one convulses. A vivid, somewhat dramatic expression.
彼の話が面白すぎて笑い転げた。
His story was so funny I rolled with laughter.