Translation guide
The English word 'huddle' can refer to a physical gathering of people or animals, often for warmth, privacy, or discussion, as well as the act of gathering in this way. It can also describe a posture of curling up. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these situations.
To describe people or animals coming together in a tight group, often for warmth, privacy, or a quick discussion.
General verb meaning 'to gather'. When used with adverbs like 'ぎゅっと' or '身を寄せ合って', it conveys the closeness of a huddle.
寒かったので、みんなでぎゅっと集まった。
It was cold, so we all huddled together tightly.
Literally 'to press bodies together'. This phrase strongly implies a huddle for warmth or intimacy.
子犬たちは身を寄せ合って寝ていた。
The puppies were sleeping huddled together.
Means 'to cluster' or 'to bunch up'. Often used for people or animals forming a tight group.
生徒たちは寒さで一か所に固まっていた。
The students were huddled in one spot because of the cold.
Loanword from English, used specifically in sports like American football or rugby for the team huddle.
チームはハドルを組んで作戦を練った。
The team formed a huddle and discussed their strategy.
To describe a person drawing their limbs close to their body, often for warmth or comfort.
Verb meaning 'to crouch' or 'to squat', often with a nuance of huddling down, sometimes from cold or fear.
彼は寒さで隅にうずくまっていた。
He was huddled in the corner from the cold.
Literally 'to become round', used for curling up into a ball, like a cat or a person in bed.
猫がソファで丸くなっている。
The cat is huddled up on the sofa.
Means 'to hug one's knees'. Describes a specific huddled sitting posture.
彼女はベッドで膝を抱えて座っていた。
She sat huddled on the bed, hugging her knees.
To describe a small group gathering closely to talk privately or conspiratorially.
Means 'to whisper/talk in hushed tones'. Often implies a secretive huddle.
彼らは隅でひそひそ話をしていた。
They were huddled in the corner whispering.
Specifically 'to have a secret talk'. Conveys the private nature of a huddle.
子供たちは内緒話をするために集まった。
The children huddled together to share secrets.
General verb for 'to consult/discuss'. When combined with context of closeness, it can imply a huddle.
選手たちは集まって相談した。
The players huddled up to discuss.
集まる is a general 'gather'. 身を寄せ合う emphasizes physical closeness for warmth or comfort. うずくまる is for a single person crouching or huddling down, often due to cold or distress.
寒いので、みんながストーブの周りに集まった。
Because it was cold, everyone gathered around the stove.
凍える夜、彼らは身を寄せ合って暖を取った。
On the freezing night, they huddled together for warmth.
彼はショックでその場にうずくまった。
He huddled down on the spot in shock.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'huddle'. Using the loanword ハドル is only appropriate in sports contexts. For other situations, use descriptive phrases like 身を寄せ合う or うずくまる.
ペンギンたちは暖を取るために身を寄せ合った。
The penguins huddled together to keep warm.
彼女は毛布の下で丸くなった。
She huddled under the blanket.
彼はショックでその場にうずくまった。
He huddled down on the spot in shock.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'huddle'. Using the loanword ハドル is only appropriate in sports contexts. For other situations, use descriptive phrases like 身を寄せ合う or うずくまる.