Translation guide
Describes the sound or action of repeatedly drawing air through the nose, often due to a cold, crying, or to avoid blowing one's nose. Japanese has distinct onomatopoeia and verbs for different contexts.
The repeated, often wet sound of drawing mucus back into the nose.
The most common and neutral way to say 'sniffle' or 'sniff' when you have a runny nose. Literally 'to sip/suck the nose'.
I've been sniffling constantly because of a cold.
Refers specifically to the sound of sniffling. Useful when describing the noise itself.
The sound of the person next to me sniffling bothers me.
Onomatopoeia for a stuffy, sniffly nose, often from a cold or crying. Can be used adverbially with する.
My nose is all stuffy and sniffly, so I can't sleep well.
More explicitly refers to sniffling back nasal mucus. Slightly more descriptive than 鼻をすする.
I didn't have a tissue, so I sniffled.
The characteristic sniffles after or during crying, often accompanied by a runny nose.
Also used for the sniffly sound of crying. Often combined with 泣く (to cry).
She was crying and sniffling.
Can be used in emotional contexts as well, though it's more neutral.
I was so moved I sniffled.
Means to sob or cry convulsively, often with sniffling implied. Stronger emotional connotation.
Repeatedly sniffing even without a cold, sometimes as a nervous habit.
Literally 'habit of sniffling'. Used to describe someone who sniffles frequently as a mannerism.
He has a habit of sniffling.
Onomatopoeia for sniffing lightly or repeatedly, like an animal sniffing or a person sniffing out of habit. Less wet-sounding than ぐすぐす.
In Japan, blowing your nose in public is sometimes considered impolite, so people may sniffle instead.
This is the default action. A cultural note: sniffling is often tolerated more than nose-blowing in quiet public settings.
Thinking it would be rude to blow my nose on the train, I sniffled instead.
In Japan, sniffling in public is generally more acceptable than loudly blowing your nose, especially in quiet places like trains or meetings. However, excessive sniffling can also be seen as annoying. Carrying a handkerchief or mask is common during cold season.
The child spoke while sobbing and sniffling.
彼はいつもくんくん鼻を鳴らしている。
He's always sniffling (making a sniffing sound with his nose).