Translation guide
Expresses the experience of a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction causing pain. Japanese uses specific verbs and nouns depending on the body part and context.
To say that a muscle is cramping or has cramped, typically in the leg or foot.
Literally 'calf reversal occurs'. The most common way to say 'have a cramp' in the leg/calf. こむら返り refers specifically to a leg cramp.
夜中にこむら返りが起こって目が覚めた。
I woke up in the middle of the night with a cramp.
Literally 'leg/foot cramps'. A very common, casual way to say you have a cramp in the leg or foot. つる is the verb for 'to cramp'.
To express cramping pain in the abdomen, often related to menstruation or digestion.
Specifically 'menstrual cramps'. 生理痛 means menstrual pain.
生理痛がひどくて、薬を飲んだ。
I had bad cramps, so I took medicine.
To express cramping in the hand or fingers from writing or repetitive motion.
General hand cramp. Same verb つる as for legs.
長い間書いていたら手がつった。
My hand cramped after writing for a long time.
つる is a casual, everyday verb for muscle cramps, especially in legs and feet. けいれんする is more formal and medical, used for spasms or convulsions in any muscle, including internal organs.
Do not translate 'have a cramp' literally as けいれんを持っている. Use the natural phrases above.
I got a cramp while swimming.
More formal/medical term: 'muscle spasms/cramps'. Used for any muscle, not just legs.
運動中に筋肉がけいれんした。
My muscle cramped during exercise.
General stomach cramping/spasms. Can be used for digestive cramps.
食後にお腹がけいれんした。
I had stomach cramps after eating.
Describes a sharp, stabbing cramp in the abdomen. Often used for sudden, intense pain.
急にお腹が差し込んで倒れそうになった。
I suddenly had a sharp cramp and almost collapsed.
Medical term for writer's cramp (graphospasm). Rarely used in daily conversation.
書痙の症状で字がうまく書けない。
I can't write well due to writer's cramp.