Translation guide
The English word 'rolling' can describe a physical rotating motion, a continuous sound, a way of moving, or even a metaphorical sense of something progressing smoothly. This guide covers the most common Japanese expressions for these meanings.
Describing an object that is rotating on its axis or turning over and over, like a ball rolling or a wheel turning.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to roll' (something rolls by itself). Used for round objects like balls, stones, or coins.
The ball rolled down the hill.
A pen is rolling on the floor.
Transitive verb meaning 'to roll something'. Used when someone causes an object to roll.
He rolled the ball.
The child is playing by rolling a tire.
Means 'to rotate' or 'to spin'. More formal or technical than 転がる. Used for wheels, machinery, or abstract rotation.
The wheels are rolling/turning.
Similar to 転がる but often implies tumbling or rolling over in a more casual or sudden way. Less common.
I tripped on a stone and rolled over.
Describing a deep, continuous, rumbling sound like thunder or drums.
Onomatopoeia for a deep rolling or rumbling sound, like thunder, a heavy object rolling, or a stomach growling.
Thunder is rolling/rumbling.
My stomach is rumbling.
Verb meaning 'to roar', 'to reverberate', or 'to roll' (of thunder). More literary or intense than ゴロゴロ.
Describing a swaying or rocking motion from side to side, like a ship rolling on waves or a person's rolling gait.
Noun meaning 'rolling' (side-to-side motion), especially of a ship or vehicle. Often used with する.
The ship is rolling.
Loanword from English, used in technical or sports contexts (e.g., ship rolling, rolling in gymnastics).
Describes a toddling or rolling gait, like a baby or a drunken person. Not a direct translation of 'rolling' but captures the waddling motion.
The drunk is walking with a rolling gait.
Describing a landscape with gentle, undulating hills.
Idiomatic expression meaning to be very rich.
Simple and common way to say 'to be rich'. Not a direct translation of 'rolling in money' but conveys the meaning naturally.
He is rolling in money.
Means 'not troubled for money', a softer way to imply wealth.
He seems to be rolling in money.
Literally 'play with wads of bills', a more vivid and slangy way to say 'rolling in money'.
Used in phrases like 'rolling basis', 'rolling admission', or 'rolling coverage' to indicate something that happens continuously or in stages.
Adverb meaning 'as needed', 'at any time', or 'on a rolling basis'. Commonly used in business or administrative contexts.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Adverb meaning 'in order', 'successively', or 'on a rolling basis'. Implies a sequence.
Direct loanword phrase meaning 'rolling method/system'. Used in specific contexts like 'rolling admission' or 'rolling plan'.
rolling admission
転がる is intransitive (something rolls by itself), while 転がす is transitive (someone rolls something). Be careful not to mix them up.
For rolling thunder or rumbling sounds, use ゴロゴロ or とどろく. 転がる only describes physical rolling motion.
雷鳴がとどろく。
Thunder rolls/roars.
船のローリングが激しい。
The ship's rolling is severe.
That person is practically rolling in money.
Results will be announced on a rolling basis.