Translation guide
The English word 'scream' covers a range of loud, high-pitched vocalizations, from fear and pain to excitement and anger. Japanese has several verbs and nouns that map to different aspects of screaming, and the best choice depends on the emotion, volume, and context.
To express a sudden, involuntary loud cry due to intense emotion like terror or agony.
The most common and natural way to say 'scream' in the sense of a shriek or yell from fear, pain, or shock. Literally 'raise a scream'.
She screamed in terror.
Someone suddenly tapped my shoulder, and I screamed involuntarily.
A general verb for shouting or yelling loudly. Can be used for screaming, but is broader and often implies a deliberate loud cry rather than an involuntary shriek.
He screamed for help.
A more intense, literary word for screaming or shrieking at the top of one's lungs, often from extreme emotion like despair or rage.
He screamed in despair.
To express a loud, enthusiastic yell, often in a positive context like at a concert or celebration.
To express a scream that conveys rage or extreme irritation.
To describe a sound resembling a human scream, such as from an animal, machine, or wind.
To utter words in a screaming manner.
Referring to the scream as a thing.
The most common noun for a scream of fear, pain, or surprise.
Suddenly, I heard a scream.
A more general noun for a shout or yell; can be a scream depending on context.
A noun for a very loud, piercing scream or shriek, often used in dramatic contexts.
悲鳴 (himei) is specifically a shriek or scream from fear, pain, or surprise. 叫び声 (sakebigoe) is a more general shout or yell, which can be a scream but isn't necessarily high-pitched or involuntary. 絶叫 (zekkyou) is an intense, often desperate scream, used in literature or dramatic descriptions.
悲鳴 implies fear or pain, not anger. For screaming in anger, use 怒鳴る (donaru) or 叫ぶ (sakebu) with context.
The fans screamed his name.
She screamed in anger.
I heard the scream of a monkey.
彼女は私に「出て行け！」と怒鳴った。
She screamed at me, 'Get out!'
His scream echoed through the room.
絶叫が静寂を破った。
A scream broke the silence.