Translation guide
Describes wriggling, twisting body movements, often from discomfort, restlessness, or embarrassment. Japanese uses different words for physical wriggling versus fidgeting from emotion.
To describe a person or animal moving their body in a twisting, wriggling way, often due to discomfort, being held, or trying to escape.
Literally 'twist one's body'. Used for a deliberate or involuntary twisting motion, often from pain, discomfort, or to get free.
子供は抱っこから逃れようと身をよじった。
The child squirmed to get out of the hug.
He squirmed in pain.
Describes writhing or squirming in agony, often on the ground. Stronger and more dramatic than 身をよじる.
彼は地面でのたうった。
He squirmed on the ground.
Means to wriggle or squirm, often used for masses of insects, snakes, or a crowd. Can sound creepy.
ミミズが土の中でうごめいている。
Worms are squirming in the dirt.
To describe a person moving restlessly, unable to stay still, often due to psychological discomfort like embarrassment, boredom, or nervousness.
Onomatopoeic word for fidgeting or squirming from embarrassment, shyness, or hesitation. Very common for children or awkward situations.
彼は恥ずかしそうにもじもじしていた。
He was squirming with embarrassment.
面接の前でもじもじしないで。
Don't squirm before the interview.
Onomatopoeic word for being restless or fidgety, often from nervousness, excitement, or impatience. Less about embarrassment, more about anticipation.
彼は結果を待ちきれずにそわそわしていた。
He was squirming, unable to wait for the results.
Means 'unable to settle down', describing a general restlessness. Can be used for physical squirming or mental unease.
子供は長い会議の間、落ち着かずに座っていた。
The child sat squirming through the long meeting.
Describes flailing or struggling movements, often with limbs. Used for a child throwing a tantrum or someone resisting physically.
捕まえた魚がじたばたしている。
The caught fish is squirming.
To express the internal feeling of squirming, i.e., cringing or feeling deeply embarrassed, often due to secondhand embarrassment or an awkward situation.
Means 'so embarrassed/uncomfortable one can't stay there'. Captures the urge to squirm away from an awkward situation.
彼のスピーチが下手すぎて居たたまれなかった。
His speech was so bad I was squirming.
Literally 'can't bear to watch'. Used for secondhand embarrassment that makes you squirm.
彼の失敗は見ていられなかった。
His blunder made me squirm.
もじもじ implies shyness or embarrassment, often with a physical squirming of the body. そわそわ is more about mental restlessness, like being unable to sit still from excitement or anxiety.
初デートでもじもじしている。
Squirming on a first date (shy).
旅行の前日でそわそわしている。
Squirming with excitement the day before a trip.
Directly translating 'squirming' as 身をよじる in all contexts can sound unnatural. For psychological discomfort, use phrases like 居たたまれない or もじもじする.