Translation guide
To move with a smooth, wave-like motion. This concept is often expressed in Japanese through descriptive verbs, onomatopoeia, or metaphorical phrases.
Describing something that moves in a smooth, rising and falling pattern, like waves or a snake.
The most common verb for undulating motion, used for waves, roads, hair, etc. Intransitive.
Literally 'to strike like waves', used for surfaces or objects that ripple or undulate, such as flags, fields, or fabric.
The flag is undulating in the wind.
Onomatopoeic adverb describing a winding, undulating shape or motion. Often used with する.
an undulating road
Formal term for undulation, often used for terrain or graphs. Implies rising and falling.
The terrain undulates.
Describing a body or object moving with a smooth, curving, snake-like motion.
Describing a surface that has small, gentle wave-like movements.
うねる emphasizes a continuous, rolling wave-like shape or motion (e.g., a snake, a winding road). 波打つ focuses on the action of striking or rippling like waves, often used for things that are moved by wind or water (e.g., a flag, a field of grass).
The coastline undulates.
The ears of rice undulate in the wind.
English 'undulate' is often used in literary or technical contexts. In everyday Japanese, it's more natural to use specific verbs like うねる or onomatopoeia like うねうね, rather than a direct translation. Using 起伏する in casual speech may sound overly formal.
彼女はくねくねと踊った。
She danced with undulating movements.
カーテンがひらひら揺れている。
The curtain is undulating gently.