Translation guide
Describes a harsh, grating sound, often from objects rubbing together or under strain. Japanese uses onomatopoeia and specific verbs depending on what is creaking.
To describe a harsh, high-pitched sound made by wood, metal, hinges, etc. when they move or are under pressure.
The floor creaks.
The door creaks and won't open.
Onomatopoeia for a repeated creaking or grating sound, like a rusty hinge or old floorboards.
The chair makes a creaking sound.
Kanji form of きしむ, often used in literary or formal writing. Same meaning.
There was a creaking sound from the pillars of the old house.
To describe a rough, strained voice, often due to emotion, age, or illness.
Describes a voice that is hoarse, husky, or cracked. Often used for aging voices or when someone is emotional.
His voice was creaky/hoarse.
Means to become hoarse or faint, often used for voices that crack or are barely audible.
To describe the sound or sensation of joints popping or grinding, often associated with aging or strain.
Literally 'joints creak', used for the grinding or cracking sound/feeling in knees, fingers, etc.
As you get older, your joints creak.
Literally 'bones creak', a more figurative expression for bodily strain or aging.
My bones feel like they're creaking from the heavy luggage.
きしむ is a verb describing the action of creaking, while ぎしぎし is an onomatopoeic adverb mimicking the sound. Use きしむ for general statements and ぎしぎし for vivid, sound-focused descriptions.
The stairs creak.
The stairs go creak-creak.
きしむ is primarily for objects. For a creaky voice, use しわがれる or かすれる. Using きしむ for a voice sounds unnatural.
I cried so much my voice became hoarse.
声がかすれて聞こえない。
My voice is so hoarse I can't be heard.