Translation guide
Describes a small, subtle, or barely noticeable motion. Often used for physical shifts, changes in position, or figurative changes.
A tiny, often involuntary or subtle physical movement of a body, object, or part of something.
Literally 'slight movement'. Often used in phrases like 微動だにしない (not moving even a bit). Can sound slightly formal or literary.
A small shift in a situation, emotion, or abstract position, not necessarily physical.
微妙な means 'subtle' or 'delicate'. Used for nuanced changes in markets, emotions, etc.
株価に微妙な動きがあった。
There was a slight movement in stock prices.
Used in negative constructions to emphasize absolute stillness or lack of reaction.
Fixed phrase meaning 'not even a slight movement'. Stronger than just 'not moving'.
その知らせを聞いても、彼は微動だにしなかった。
Even upon hearing the news, he didn't bat an eye.
Directly translating 'slight movement' as 軽い動き or 小さな動き can sound unnatural. Use 微動 or 少し動く depending on context.
彼は微動だにしなかった。
He didn't move a muscle.
Plain, everyday way to say 'move slightly'. Verb 動く (to move) with 少し (a little).
指が少し動いた。
My finger moved slightly.
More literary or emphatic than 少し動く. わずかに means 'barely' or 'slightly'.
風でカーテンがわずかに動いた。
The curtain moved slightly in the wind.
A slight, gentle movement, especially of leaves, grass, or fabric in a breeze. Poetic.
木の葉のそよぎが聞こえる。
I can hear the rustle of the leaves.
Literally 'small change'. More direct and less nuanced than 微妙な動き.
世論に小さな変化が見られた。
A slight shift was seen in public opinion.
Colloquial, emphatic. ぴくり is an onomatopoeia for a twitch or slight movement.
死んだ魚のようにぴくりとも動かなかった。
It didn't move a muscle, like a dead fish.