Translation guide
Describes slow, gradual movement or change, often in a way that is stealthy, unpleasant, or incremental. Covers physical creeping motion, creeping plants, creeping feelings, and creeping abstract changes.
To move slowly and quietly, often to avoid being noticed, like a person or animal sneaking.
Verb meaning to creep up on someone or something stealthily. Often used for sneaking up or approaching unnoticed.
The cat is creeping up on the bird.
Phrase meaning to approach stealthily or sneak up. More casual than 忍び寄る.
He crept up from behind.
Verb meaning to crawl or creep on the ground, like a baby or insect. Not specifically stealthy, but can describe low, creeping movement.
The baby is creeping on the floor.
Plants that grow along the ground or up surfaces by extending stems or tendrils.
A sensation as if something is crawling on the skin, often due to fear, disgust, or unease.
Phrase for a sudden creepy or shudder-inducing feeling. Often used for fear or disgust.
I felt a creeping sensation when I heard that story.
A slow, incremental change that may go unnoticed until significant, often with negative connotations (e.g., creeping inflation, creeping doubt).
Adverb meaning gradually but steadily, often with a sense of pressure or encroachment. Fits 'creeping' in abstract contexts.
A creeping anxiety is spreading.
Adverb meaning gradually, little by little. Neutral, lacks the negative nuance of 'creeping' but can be used for slow change.
Can be used metaphorically for abstract things that approach stealthily, like danger or old age.
Slow, continuous progress, like a loading bar or gradual increase.
Phrase meaning to advance little by little. Common for describing slow progress.
The download is creeping along.
English often uses 'creeping' as an adjective (e.g., creeping inflation). Japanese typically uses adverbial phrases like じわじわと or verbs like 忍び寄る rather than a direct adjective equivalent.
Creeping plants cover the ground.
Literally 'goosebumps stand up'. Describes a creepy, skin-crawling feeling.
The eerie sound gave me a creeping sensation.
物価が徐々に上昇している。
Prices are creeping up.
Old age is creeping up.