Translation guide
The English word "howling" can refer to animal vocalizations, wind sounds, or human crying/laughter. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
The long, loud cry of a wolf, dog, or similar animal.
The loud, mournful sound of strong wind.
Literally 'the wind groans/roars'. The most natural way to describe howling wind.
外では風がうなっていた。
The wind was howling outside.
A person crying or laughing in a loud, uncontrolled way.
Do not use 遠吠え for wind. 風の遠吠え is unnatural. Use 風がうなる or 風が吹き荒れる instead.
号泣 implies intense, uncontrollable sobbing, often in a dramatic context. 大声で泣く is more neutral and simply describes loud crying.
The standard word for a wolf or dog howling. Often used in the phrase 遠吠えをする.
夜、オオカミの遠吠えが聞こえた。
At night, I heard the howling of wolves.
General verb for barking, howling, or roaring. Can be used for dogs, wolves, etc. Less specific than 遠吠え.
犬が月に向かって吠えている。
The dog is howling at the moon.
General term for an animal's cry or call. Can be used for howling when context is clear, but is broader.
オオカミの鳴き声が山に響いた。
The howling of the wolf echoed through the mountains.
Means 'the wind rages/blows violently'. Conveys a strong, noisy wind, often used in storms.
台風で風が吹き荒れている。
The wind is howling due to the typhoon.
Onomatopoeia for whistling or howling wind. Often used in casual or descriptive writing.
風がヒューヒューと音を立てている。
The wind is howling (making a whistling sound).
Loud crying, wailing. Often used for intense sobbing.
彼女は悲しみのあまり号泣した。
She was howling with grief.
Literally 'cry in a loud voice'. A straightforward way to describe howling with tears.
子供が大声で泣いている。
The child is howling (crying loudly).
To laugh loudly, guffaw. Used when 'howling' means laughing uproariously.
彼の冗談にみんな大笑いした。
Everyone was howling with laughter at his joke.
Burst of laughter, roaring laughter. Stronger than 大笑い, often used for a group laughing explosively.
会場は爆笑に包まれた。
The room was filled with howling laughter.