Translation guide
The English word 'pounding' can refer to a physical beating, a rhythmic thumping sound, or a strong, persistent sensation like a headache or heartbeat. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To describe the action of hitting or striking something repeatedly with force, such as pounding a fist, pounding meat, or pounding on a door.
General verb for hitting, striking, or pounding. Can be used for pounding on a door, pounding a fist, or pounding meat. Very common and versatile.
彼は怒って机を叩いた。
He pounded the desk in anger.
ドアを強く叩く音が聞こえた。
I heard the sound of someone pounding on the door.
To pound or strike against something, often with a sense of violence or force. Used for waves pounding the shore or pounding something with a tool.
波が岩に打ち付けている。
The waves are pounding against the rocks.
To pound repeatedly, often used in contexts like pounding a keyboard or hitting a button many times. Slightly technical or specific.
彼はキーボードを連打した。
He pounded on the keyboard.
To describe a continuous, rhythmic beating or throbbing, such as a pounding heartbeat, pounding headache, or the sound of pounding music.
Onomatopoeia for a pounding or throbbing heartbeat, often from excitement, nervousness, or exertion. Very common in casual speech.
心臓がドキドキしている。
My heart is pounding.
緊張で胸がドキドキした。
My heart pounded with nervousness.
Onomatopoeia for a throbbing or pounding pain, especially a headache or toothache. Describes a pulsing, rhythmic pain.
Onomatopoeia for a loud pounding or banging sound, like someone pounding on a door or loud music with a heavy beat.
To pulse or throb, often used for a pounding sensation in the body. More literary or formal than onomatopoeia.
To describe the action of pounding food items to soften or shape them, such as pounding mochi (rice cakes) or tenderizing meat.
ドキドキ is for a pounding heartbeat (excitement, nervousness), while ズキズキ is for a pounding pain (headache, toothache). Don't mix them up.
恋をすると心臓がドキドキする。
When you fall in love, your heart pounds.
二日酔いで頭がズキズキする。
My head is pounding from a hangover.
Avoid directly translating 'pounding' as a noun. Japanese often uses onomatopoeia or specific verbs instead of a single equivalent. For example, 'the pounding of the waves' is better expressed as 波が打ち付ける音 rather than a noun form.
頭がズキズキ痛む。
I have a pounding headache.
隣の部屋から音楽がドンドン聞こえる。
I can hear pounding music from the next room.
My temples are pounding with pain.
Pound the meat to tenderize it.