Translation guide
A sudden, brief, sharp pain or feeling, either physical or emotional.
a twinge of pain
a twinge of guilt
General word for pain; can be used for a twinge when combined with adjectives like 鋭い (sharp) or 突然の (sudden).
A sharp twinge ran through my back.
Describes a stinging or prickling twinge, like a sudden sharp pain.
I felt a twinge in my knee.
A dull, throbbing ache; can be used for a twinge that lingers slightly.
An old injury gave a twinge.
A sudden, brief emotional pang, such as guilt, sadness, or nostalgia.
Literally 'a prick in the chest'; idiomatic for a sudden emotional twinge, especially guilt or sadness.
I felt a twinge at his words.
Literally 'heart hurts'; used for a pang of emotional pain, often empathy or regret.
A touch of loneliness; used for a fleeting emotional twinge, often literary.
痛み is general pain. うずき is a dull, throbbing ache. チクリ is a sharp, momentary prick, often used for emotional twinges.
My tooth throbs.
Something pricked my finger.
Avoid directly translating 'twinge' as a single noun. Japanese often uses descriptive phrases like 鋭い痛み or onomatopoeia like チクリ.
I felt a twinge in my shoulder.
A twinge of regret crossed his face.
I felt a twinge of pain hearing her story.
I felt a twinge of loneliness when we parted.