Translation guide
The English word 'lull' can refer to a temporary pause or calm in activity, noise, or weather, or to the act of soothing someone into calmness or sleep. This guide covers both meanings with natural Japanese expressions.
Expressing a short period of quiet, reduced activity, or calm, often in the middle of something.
Refers to a temporary lull or respite, often used for weather, illness, or conflict. Implies a pause in an otherwise difficult situation.
The storm entered a lull.
A break or gap in something continuous, like conversation, noise, or flow. Often used for a lull in talk or sound.
There was a lull in the conversation.
Specifically a lull in rain or snow; a brief pause in precipitation.
The rain let up for a bit.
A lull in the wind; a calm at sea. Often used in nautical or poetic contexts.
The wind died down.
A literal phrase meaning 'temporary quietness', useful when no specific word fits.
A temporary lull fell over the battlefield.
To gently calm someone, often a baby, into a relaxed or sleepy state.
To soothe or comfort a baby, often by rocking or talking softly. Implies calming a fussy infant.
I lulled the baby to sleep.
To soothe or pacify someone, not limited to babies. Can be used for calming anger or anxiety.
To make someone drowsy or doze off, often through monotonous sound or gentle rocking.
The sound of the waves lulled him into a doze.
小康 is used for a lull in a negative or intense situation (storm, conflict, fever), while 途切れ is for a break in continuity (conversation, traffic, sound).
The rain is in a lull.
The conversation lulled.
English 'lull' as a verb (to calm into sleep) does not have a single direct equivalent. Use あやす for babies, 寝かしつける for putting to sleep, or 宥める for soothing emotions. Do not use 小康 as a verb.
To put a child to bed, often involving soothing actions. Focuses on the result of getting them to sleep.
I lulled the child to sleep with a lullaby.
彼女の不安を宥めるように優しく話した。
He spoke gently to lull her anxiety.