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 standard word for a wolf or dog howling. Often used in the phrase 遠吠えをする.
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.
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.
The howling of the wolf echoed through the mountains.
The loud, mournful sound of strong wind.
Literally 'the wind groans/roars'. The most natural way to describe howling wind.
The wind was howling outside.
Means 'the wind rages/blows violently'. Conveys a strong, noisy wind, often used in storms.
Onomatopoeia for whistling or howling wind. Often used in casual or descriptive writing.
A person crying or laughing in a loud, uncontrolled way.
Loud crying, wailing. Often used for intense sobbing.
She was howling with grief.
Literally 'cry in a loud voice'. A straightforward way to describe howling with tears.
To laugh loudly, guffaw. Used when 'howling' means laughing uproariously.
Burst of laughter, roaring laughter. Stronger than 大笑い, often used for a group laughing explosively.
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 wind is howling due to the typhoon.
The wind is howling (making a whistling sound).
The child is howling (crying loudly).
Everyone was howling with laughter at his joke.
会場は爆笑に包まれた。
The room was filled with howling laughter.