Translation guide
The physical or emotional act of pulling back suddenly, often from fear, disgust, or shock.
To suddenly move your body away from something frightening, painful, or unpleasant.
He recoiled from his opponent's punch.
I flinched at the loud noise.
To recoil or stagger back, often from surprise or shock. Slightly more dramatic than ひるむ.
I recoiled at his fury.
To bend backward or recoil physically, often in surprise or disgust. Literally 'to lean back'.
She recoiled from the smell.
To pull back or withdraw one's body; can be used for recoiling from danger or an unpleasant situation.
He recoiled from the hot stove.
To feel a strong aversion or repulsion, causing you to pull away mentally.
To shudder or recoil in horror or disgust. Very common for strong negative reactions.
I recoiled at the cruel story.
I recoiled at his insensitive remark.
Colloquial; to be put off or recoil emotionally. Often used in casual speech.
To feel disgust or revulsion; a more formal or written expression for recoiling emotionally.
The backward movement of a gun when fired.
ひるむ is more about flinching or hesitating due to fear, while たじろぐ implies a more visible staggering back from shock or intimidation. ひるむ is more common in everyday speech.
Direct translations like 後退する (to retreat) are not natural for the sudden, reactive movement of recoiling. Use the options above for physical or emotional flinching.
I kind of recoiled at that joke.
I recoiled in disgust at his behavior.
Be careful of the rifle's recoil.