Translation guide
Describes moving quietly and carefully to avoid detection. In Japanese, this is often expressed through mimetic words, verbs, and descriptive phrases that capture the sound and manner of silent movement.
To describe walking in a way that makes little or no sound, often to avoid being noticed.
To use onomatopoeic expressions that imitate the sound of light, stealthy footsteps.
Both mean 'stealthy steps', but 抜き足差し足 emphasizes the careful, deliberate placement of each foot, while 忍び足 is more general and often associated with ninja-like sneaking.
To describe moving with stealthy steps, combine adverbs like こっそり or そっと with verbs of movement (歩く, 近づく, 入る). This is often more natural than a direct noun translation.
A set phrase meaning 'stealthy steps', literally 'withdrawing foot, inserting foot'. It vividly depicts the careful, silent way of walking to avoid detection.
彼は抜き足差し足で部屋に入った。
He entered the room with stealthy steps.
Literally 'sneaking feet', this noun describes walking stealthily, like a ninja. Often used with で to modify a verb.
忍び足で近づく。
Approach with stealthy steps.
An adverb meaning 'secretly' or 'stealthily'. It emphasizes the covert nature of the action rather than the sound of steps.
こっそりと抜け出した。
I slipped away with stealthy steps.
An adverb meaning 'softly' or 'quietly'. It suggests gentle, careful movement to avoid making noise or being noticed.
そっと歩く。
Walk with stealthy steps.
Mimics the sound of light, quick, but quiet steps. Often used for someone walking away briskly but stealthily.
すたすたと歩き去った。
He walked away with stealthy steps.