Translation guide
Describes the action of crouching down in fear, often to make oneself smaller or hide. Japanese has several verbs and mimetic words that capture different nuances of cowering, from physical shrinking to psychological intimidation.
To physically shrink or huddle down because of fear or intimidation.
A common verb meaning to curl up or cower, often from fear, cold, or nervousness. Emphasizes making oneself small.
The dog is cowering at the sound of thunder.
He cowered at his boss's yelling.
Means to freeze up or cower in fear, often with a sense of being paralyzed. Can also refer to a physical shrinking back.
She cowered in fear and couldn't move.
To crouch or squat down, often in fear or to hide. Implies a low, huddled posture.
The child was cowering behind something.
Literally 'shrink one's body', a common phrase for cowering or flinching.
He cowered when he was yelled at.
Means to be frightened or terrified, often with a visible cowering reaction. More about the emotional state than the posture.
He always cowers in fear of his father.
Specifically cowering while backed into a corner or against a surface, often with a sense of being trapped.
Descriptive phrase: 'cowering as if glued to the wall'. Vividly conveys pressing oneself against a wall in fear.
He was cowering against the wall.
To cower in a corner. Combines 'corner' (隅) with 'crouch' (うずくまる).
She was cowering in the corner of the room.
To cower specifically because of a person's domineering presence or anger.
Onomatopoeic or mimetic expressions that vividly describe the state or action of cowering.
Mimetic adverb meaning to be jumpy or flinch easily, often from fear. Describes the repeated flinching of cowering.
He cowers every time he gets scolded.
Mimetic word for being timid or nervous, often with a cowering demeanor. Describes a state of constant fearfulness.
縮こまる emphasizes curling up and making oneself small, often from cold or fear. うずくまる focuses on the crouching posture, often in a corner or hiding. すくむ implies freezing up or being paralyzed by fear, with less emphasis on the crouching posture.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'cower' in all contexts. Using 縮こまる is the safest general choice, but consider the specific nuance (posture, emotional state, cause) to pick the best expression.
彼女の剣幕に気圧されて、何も言えなかった。
Cowering under her fury, I couldn't say anything.
新入社員はおどおどした様子で立っていた。
The new employee stood there cowering.