Translation guide
Describes the physical reaction of shaking due to fear. Japanese has several common expressions, ranging from general trembling to specific idioms.
To describe someone shaking or trembling because they are scared.
A straightforward, natural way to say 'trembling with fear'. Literally 'scared and trembling'.
彼は怖くて震えていた。
He was trembling with fear.
My hands are trembling from fear.
A slightly more formal or literary version using the noun 'terror'. Suitable for writing or dramatic speech.
彼女は恐怖で震えていた。
She was trembling with terror.
A literary or dramatic verb meaning to tremble or shudder from fear or awe. Often used in written narratives.
その光景におののいた。
I trembled at the sight.
To emphasize a sudden, intense shiver or shudder due to fear.
Means to tremble violently or be terrified. '震え上がる' is a compound verb that intensifies the trembling.
その話を聞いて怖くて震え上がった。
I trembled with fear when I heard that story.
'身震い' means a shudder or shiver that runs through the whole body. Often used for fear or disgust.
恐怖で身震いした。
I shuddered with fear.
A literary verb for trembling or shivering, often from fear or cold. Rare in everyday speech.
To describe the specific sensation of weak or shaking legs due to fear.
Literally 'legs tremble from fear'. A common, natural description.
怖くて足が震えて立てなかった。
I was so scared my legs were shaking and I couldn't stand.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'one's knees are shaking' (literally 'knees are laughing'). Used when legs feel weak from fear or exhaustion.
あまりの怖さに膝が笑っていた。
I was so scared my knees were knocking.
To describe a voice that shakes because the speaker is afraid.
震える is the general verb for trembling. 震え上がる intensifies it, implying violent trembling or being terrified. 身震い is a noun for a shudder, often used with する. 身震い can also be used for shivers from cold or excitement, so context is important.
震える can be used for trembling from cold, excitement, or nervousness, not just fear. To specify fear, use 怖くて or 恐怖で. Without context, 震えている could simply mean 'I'm cold'.
He trembled with fear.