Translation guide
The English word 'thrilling' describes something intensely exciting, suspenseful, or emotionally gripping. In Japanese, there is no single perfect equivalent. Instead, learners should choose expressions based on the type of thrill: excitement, suspense, or a mix of fear and exhilaration.
Describing an experience, event, or story that is very exciting and gives a rush of adrenaline.
A direct loanword from English, commonly used in Japanese to mean 'thrilling' in the sense of exciting and suspenseful, especially for movies, sports, or experiences.
That movie was very thrilling.
Literally 'gripping with sweaty palms', this phrase describes a suspenseful, thrilling experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
It was a thrilling development.
Describes a feeling of suspense or nervous excitement, often used for watching something thrilling like a close game or a dangerous scene.
That game was thrilling (nerve-wracking).
Means 'to be excited' or 'thrilling' in a general sense, but can be used for thrilling experiences that stir emotions.
That concert was really thrilling.
Means 'thrilling' in the sense of being exhilarating and satisfying, often used for stories or actions that are refreshingly exciting.
It was a thrilling action movie.
Describing a story, movie, or situation that is full of suspense and keeps you in tense anticipation.
Literally 'to hold one's breath', used for breathtaking, thrilling moments of suspense or beauty.
It was a thrilling (breathtaking) final scene.
Means 'there is a sense of tension/suspense', often used for thrilling, tense atmospheres.
Means 'shudder' or 'thrill' of fear/excitement, often used in a darker, more intense context.
Describing an activity or experience that is thrilling because it involves danger or risk, like extreme sports.
Literally 'there is thrill', a common way to say something is thrilling in a risky, exciting way.
Bungee jumping is thrilling.
Means 'dangerous', but can imply a thrilling sense of danger when combined with words like 'adventure'.
Alone, '危険な' simply means 'dangerous'. Use with context to convey 'thrilling'.
Means 'life-risking', used for extremely thrilling, dangerous feats.
スリリング is a direct loanword and feels modern/casual. ハラハラする emphasizes nervous suspense, often with a personal stake. 手に汗握る is a vivid idiom for gripping suspense, slightly more literary.
I was excited by the thrilling development.
I was on the edge of my seat until the end of the game.
It was a thrilling chase scene.
There is no single Japanese adjective that covers all uses of 'thrilling'. Using スリリング is safe for modern contexts, but for more nuanced expressions, choose a phrase that matches the specific type of thrill (excitement, suspense, danger).
The roller coaster ride was thrilling.
スリル満点 is a common phrase meaning 'full of thrills'.
It was a thrilling match.
The movie had a thrilling climax.
This novel is thrilling and interesting.
戦慄のホラー映画だった。
It was a thrilling (chilling) horror movie.
A dangerous adventure is thrilling.
The life-risking stunt thrilled the audience.