Translation guide
The English word 'reeling' can describe physical staggering, emotional shock, or the action of winding something onto a reel. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To describe someone physically staggering, swaying, or stumbling, often due to dizziness, intoxication, or a blow.
A common verb meaning to stagger or stumble, often from being hit or feeling dizzy.
He reeled from the punch.
To feel unsteady on one's feet, often from illness, fatigue, or intoxication.
I'm reeling with fever.
Literally 'to walk like a plover', meaning to stagger or walk unsteadily, often from drunkenness.
He's drunk and reeling around.
To wobble or sway, used for objects or people losing stability. Less common for people than よろめく.
The building reeled in the earthquake.
To express being mentally overwhelmed, shocked, or unable to think clearly after bad news or a surprising event.
To be stunned or dumbfounded by shock. A natural way to say 'reeling from shock'.
I was reeling after hearing the news.
To be emotionally shaken or disturbed. Often used for ongoing mental turmoil.
He's still reeling from the criticism.
Literally 'my head is confused', meaning to be mentally reeling or unable to think straight.
To describe the action of winding something like fishing line, film, or thread onto a spool or reel.
General verb for winding or coiling. Use with a reel object for clarity.
Reel in the fishing line.
To wind up or take up, emphasizing the action of pulling something in.
To wind something onto a reel, more specific and technical.
Reel the film onto the spool.
English 'reeling' for emotional shock is metaphorical. Japanese uses expressions like ショックで呆然とする or 動揺している. A literal translation like よろめく for emotions would sound unnatural.
I'm reeling from all the information.
ホースを巻き取る。
Reel in the hose.