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.
He pounded the desk in anger.
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.
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.
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.
My heart is pounding.
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.
When you fall in love, your heart pounds.
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.
My heart pounded with nervousness.
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.
こめかみが脈打つように痛む。
My temples are pounding with pain.
肉を叩いて柔らかくする。
Pound the meat to tenderize it.