Translation guide
Describes the physical reaction of shaking due to fear. Japanese has several common expressions, ranging from general trembling to specific idioms.
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.
She was trembling with terror.
A literary or dramatic verb meaning to tremble or shudder from fear or awe. Often used in written narratives.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To describe a voice that shakes because the speaker is afraid.
A common phrase for a trembling voice, often from fear or nervousness.
My voice trembled with fear.
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.
tremble from cold
tremble violently from fear
shudder with fear
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'.
tremble from cold
I shuddered with fear.
彼は恐怖に戦慄いた。
He trembled with fear.
I was so scared my knees were knocking.
tremble from nervousness