Translation guide
The English word 'lump' can refer to a solid mass, a swelling on the body, or be used figuratively. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
Describing a shapeless mass or chunk of a substance, like sugar, clay, or coal.
The most common word for a lump, mass, or clump of something. Can be used for both concrete and abstract masses.
砂糖の塊ができている。
There are lumps of sugar.
彼は粘土の塊をこねた。
He kneaded a lump of clay.
Often interchangeable with 塊, but can emphasize the state of being hardened or solidified.
血の固まりができた。
A blood clot formed.
Referring to a lump under the skin, such as from an injury or a medical condition.
Common word for a bump or swelling, especially from a blow or injury. Also used for a hump or knob.
頭にこぶができた。
I got a lump on my head.
彼は転んでひざにこぶを作った。
He fell and got a lump on his knee.
Refers to a lump or mass inside the body, often used in medical contexts (e.g., a tumor or hardened tissue).
General word for swelling, which may appear as a lump. Often used for inflammation.
虫刺されで腫れがひどい。
The swelling from the bug bite is bad.
Describing a single payment of a total amount, rather than installments.
Means 'lump-sum payment' or 'payment in full'. Commonly used in financial contexts.
一括払いで支払うと割引があります。
There is a discount if you pay in a lump sum.
Adverb meaning 'all together' or 'in one go'. Can be used with verbs like 払う (pay) to indicate a lump sum.
お金をまとめて払った。
I paid the money in a lump sum.
Expressing the idea of putting different things into one category without distinction.
Means 'to lump together' or 'to bundle into one group'. Often used when combining items or ideas.
それらの問題をひとまとめにしないでください。
Please don't lump those issues together.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'to lump together' or 'to treat as the same', often with a negative connotation of oversimplification.
彼はすべての反対意見を十把一絡げにした。
He lumped all opposing opinions together.
Informally calling someone a lump as an insult, implying they are slow or useless.
Means 'blockhead', 'slowcoach', or 'lump'. Used for someone who is slow to act or understand.
あののろまがまた遅刻した。
That lump was late again.
Means 'useless person' or 'good-for-nothing'. Can be used similarly to 'lump' in a derogatory sense.
Describing the sensation of having a lump in one's throat when about to cry or feeling strong emotion.
Literally 'chest feels tight', used to express being choked up with emotion. Equivalent to 'have a lump in one's throat'.
感動して胸が詰まった。
I was so moved I had a lump in my throat.
Literally 'throat feels tight', similar to 胸が詰まる but more directly referencing the throat.
悲しくてのどが詰まった。
I was so sad I had a lump in my throat.
塊 (かたまり) is the general term for a lump or mass. 固まり (かたまり) often implies something that has solidified or hardened. In many contexts they are interchangeable, but 固まり can emphasize the process of becoming solid.
Do not translate 'lump in my throat' literally as のどの塊. Use idiomatic expressions like 胸が詰まる or のどが詰まる instead.
I felt a lump in my breast.
医者にしこりを診てもらった。
I had a doctor check the lump.
彼はまったくの役立たずだ。
He's a complete lump.