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.
I have a leg cramp.
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.
I got a cramp in my calf in the middle of the night.
A more medical or formal term for muscle cramp or spasm. Literally 'muscle spasm'. Used in healthcare contexts.
A common verb meaning 'to get a cramp' (intransitive). Often used for leg or foot cramps. Very colloquial.
Medical term for spasm, convulsion, or cramp. Can refer to muscle cramps but also to seizures. More clinical.
A cramping pain in the stomach or lower abdomen, often associated with menstruation or digestion.
Specifically menstrual cramps. The standard term used by women.
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'.
A sensation of being restricted in movement or space, not a muscle cramp.
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.
I got a cramp in my leg!
I got a cramp while swimming.
Muscle cramps can occur after exercise.
I've got a cramp in my leg!
My calf is about to cramp up.
熱中症で痙攣を起こした。
He had convulsions from heatstroke.
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.
I suddenly got a stomach cramp.
A verb describing a sharp, stabbing, or cramping pain in the abdomen. Often used for intestinal cramps.
I have a sharp, cramping pain in my stomach.
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.
My hand cramped up after writing a lot.
Adjective meaning cramped, tight, or confining. Describes a space or situation that feels restrictive.
This room feels cramped.
I'm wearing cramped (tight) shoes.
Simply means 'narrow' or 'small'. Can be used for cramped spaces, but less specific than 窮屈.
This apartment is cramped.
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.