Translation guide
Describes a sudden, rough, or shocking movement or experience. Covers physical shaking, emotional shock, and abrupt disruption.
Describe a jerking, bumpy, or shaking motion, such as a vehicle ride or an earthquake.
Describe a sudden, disturbing realization or event that shakes someone emotionally.
Describe a sudden interruption that brings someone out of a state, like sleep or daydreaming.
Causative of 'hatto suru' (to be startled), meaning to jolt someone into awareness.
彼の叫び声が私をはっとさせた。
His shout jolted me awake.
English 'jolting' often works as an adjective, but Japanese usually expresses the concept with verbs, onomatopoeia, or adjectival phrases. Using a literal translation like 揺れている (yureteiru) for 'a jolting ride' can sound unnatural; instead, describe the action or sensation.
ガタガタ道
a jolting road
Onomatopoeic adverb/noun for rattling, shaking, or jolting, often used for vehicles or unstable objects.
道が悪くて車がガタガタ揺れた。
The road was rough and the car jolted around.
Intransitive verb for shaking, swaying, or jolting. Used for earthquakes, vehicles, or emotional trembling.
地震で建物が大きく揺れた。
The building jolted violently in the earthquake.
Noun for impact or shock, often used for physical collisions or sudden force.
衝突の衝撃で乗客が前に飛ばされた。
The jolt of the collision threw the passengers forward.
Na-adjective meaning shocking, startling, or jolting in an emotional sense.
そのニュースは衝撃的だった。
The news was jolting.
Literally 'shake the heart', used for deeply moving or jolting experiences.
彼の言葉は私の心を揺さぶった。
His words jolted me emotionally.
Suru verb for being startled or jolted by a sudden fright.
突然の大きな音にぎょっとした。
I was jolted by the sudden loud noise.
Literally 'make someone open their eyes', used for jolting someone out of sleep or ignorance.
地震が私を目覚めさせた。
The earthquake jolted me awake.