Translation guide
The English word 'crawling' can refer to a baby's movement, insect movement, slow traffic, or a creepy sensation. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
The baby is crawling.
A spider is crawling on the wall.
To describe a baby moving on hands and knees.
To describe bugs, spiders, or other small creatures moving along a surface.
Standard verb for crawling of insects, snakes, etc.
To describe vehicles moving very slowly, as in a traffic jam.
Describes crawling traffic. のろのろ is an onomatopoeia for slow movement.
To express a feeling of disgust or fear that makes one's skin crawl.
To describe a place teeming with insects, people, etc.
General expression for 'full of'. Not specific to crawling, but natural.
While 這う means 'crawl', it is not used for slow traffic. Use のろのろ運転 or 渋滞 expressions instead.
The baby is crawling on the floor.
蜘蛛が壁を這っている。
A spider is crawling on the wall.
Emphasizes crawling around, often with a sense of creepiness or aimlessness.
A cockroach is crawling around the kitchen.
Traffic is crawling on the highway.
Literally 'not moving due to traffic jam', often used to describe crawling traffic.
The cars are barely crawling because of the traffic jam.
Literally 'goosebumps stand up', used for both fear and disgust. Often translated as 'makes my skin crawl'.
That story made my skin crawl.
Expresses a shudder or creepy feeling, often used for something scary or disgusting.
That movie made my skin crawl.
The park is crawling with ants.
Colloquial, vivid expression for 'crawling with' small creatures or people, often negative.
The kitchen is crawling with cockroaches.