Translation guide
A sudden, painful muscle contraction, or a feeling of being restricted. In Japanese, different words are used for muscle cramps, abdominal cramps, and writer's cramp. The most common term is こむら返り for leg cramps.
こむら返りが起きました。
I have a leg cramp.
ふくらはぎがつっています。
My calf is cramping.
A sudden, involuntary, painful contraction of a muscle, most commonly in the leg.
The most common and natural word for a muscle cramp, especially in the calf. Literally 'calf return'. Used in everyday conversation.
夜中にこむら返りが起きた。
I got a cramp in my calf in the middle of the night.
泳いでいる時にこむら返りになった。
I got a cramp while swimming.
A more medical or formal term for muscle cramp or spasm. Literally 'muscle spasm'. Used in healthcare contexts.
運動後に筋肉のけいれんが起こることがあります。
Muscle cramps can occur after exercise.
A common verb meaning 'to get a cramp' (intransitive). Often used for leg or foot cramps. Very colloquial.
足がつった！
I've got a cramp in my leg!
ふくらはぎがつりそう。
My calf is about to cramp up.
Medical term for spasm, convulsion, or cramp. Can refer to muscle cramps but also to seizures. More clinical.
熱中症で痙攣を起こした。
He had convulsions from heatstroke.
A cramping pain in the stomach or lower abdomen, often associated with menstruation or digestion.
Specifically menstrual cramps. The standard term used by women.
生理痛がひどいので薬を飲んだ。
I took medicine because my menstrual cramps were bad.
General term for abdominal pain, including cramping. Can be used for stomach cramps from various causes.
急に腹痛がしてきた。
I suddenly got a stomach cramp.
A verb describing a sharp, stabbing, or cramping pain in the abdomen. Often used for intestinal cramps.
A cramp or stiffness in the hand or fingers from writing or repetitive motion.
The medical/formal term for writer's cramp. Literally 'writing spasm'.
長時間の筆記で書痙になった。
I got writer's cramp from writing for a long time.
A casual way to say your hand is cramping. Uses the verb つる.
たくさん書いたら手がつった。
My hand cramped up after writing a lot.
A sensation of being restricted in movement or space, not a muscle cramp.
Adjective meaning cramped, tight, or confining. Describes a space or situation that feels restrictive.
この部屋は窮屈だ。
This room feels cramped.
窮屈な靴を履いている。
I'm wearing cramped (tight) shoes.
Simply means 'narrow' or 'small'. Can be used for cramped spaces, but less specific than 窮屈.
こむら返り is a noun specifically for calf cramps. つる is a verb meaning 'to cramp' and can be used for various body parts (足がつる, 手がつる). In casual speech, つる is very common.
足がつった！
I got a cramp in my leg!
こむら返りが治らない。
The calf cramp won't go away.
痙攣 (けいれん) is a medical term that can imply convulsions or seizures. For a normal muscle cramp, use こむら返り or つる to avoid sounding overly clinical or alarming.
お腹が差し込むように痛い。
I have a sharp, cramping pain in my stomach.
This apartment is cramped.