Translation guide
Describes circular, spiraling, or turbulent motion of liquids, gases, or abstract things. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is swirling and how.
To describe water or other liquids moving in a circular, spiraling motion, often forming eddies or whirlpools.
Most common verb for liquids swirling, forming eddies or whirlpools. Can also be used metaphorically for emotions or rumors.
川の水が渦巻いている。
The river water is swirling.
彼の心には不安が渦巻いていた。
Anxiety was swirling in his heart.
Literally 'to coil a whirlpool'. Similar to 渦巻く but slightly more descriptive or literary.
排水口に水が渦を巻いて流れ込む。
The water swirls down the drain.
Rare, literary verb meaning to flow in swirls. Not commonly used in everyday speech.
渦流れる川の音が聞こえる。
The sound of the swirling river can be heard.
To describe air, wind, smoke, dust, or mist moving in a twisting, spiraling, or turbulent manner.
Also used for gases and fine particles swirling in the air.
煙が渦巻いている。
Smoke is swirling.
砂塵が渦巻く中を進んだ。
We advanced through the swirling dust.
Means to dance or flutter; used for light things swirling in the air like leaves, snow, or petals. Emphasizes graceful, floating motion.
花びらが風に舞っている。
Petals are swirling in the wind.
Noun phrase: 'swirling wind'. Used in descriptive or literary contexts.
渦巻く風が木の葉を巻き上げた。
The swirling wind swept up the leaves.
To describe intangible things like thoughts, emotions, or rumors moving in a confused, turbulent, or circulating manner.
Metaphorical use for emotions, thoughts, or rumors swirling chaotically.
頭の中で様々な考えが渦巻いている。
Various thoughts are swirling in my head.
街には噂が渦巻いていた。
Rumors were swirling around the town.
Literally 'to be in the whirlpool'. Means to be caught up in the middle of a swirling situation like a scandal or controversy.
彼はそのスキャンダルの渦中にいる。
He is in the swirling midst of that scandal.
To describe a visual pattern or shape that spirals or curves in a circular motion, like a swirl in art or nature.
Noun meaning 'swirl pattern' or 'spiral design'. Common for describing patterns on objects.
その皿には渦巻き模様が描かれている。
The plate has a swirling pattern on it.
Noun meaning 'whirlpool', 'spiral', or 'swirl'. Can refer to the shape itself.
Means 'spiral' or 'helix'. More technical or geometric term for a swirling shape.
渦巻く is for turbulent, forceful swirling like water or smoke. 舞う is for light, graceful swirling like petals or snow. Do not use 舞う for liquids or heavy smoke.
煙が渦巻く (OK) / 煙が舞う (unnatural)
Smoke swirls (turbulent) / Smoke dances (unnatural for heavy smoke)
English 'swirl' can be used for many things, but Japanese often uses specific verbs. For example, 'swirl wine in a glass' is ワインをグラスの中で回す (まわす), not 渦巻く. Always consider the subject and motion type.
落ち葉が秋風に舞っていた。
The leaves were swirling in the autumn wind.
川に渦が巻いていた。
A whirlpool swirled in the river.
Snow swirls down.
Means to be jumbled or mixed up in a disorderly way. Used for emotions or thoughts that are tangled and swirling.
喜びと悲しみが入り乱れた。
Joy and sorrow swirled together.
彼女は渦巻きの形をしたパスタを作った。
She made pasta in the shape of a swirl.
DNA has a double helix structure.