Translation guide
The sensation of dizziness or spinning, often described as a feeling that you or your surroundings are moving. In Japanese, the most common and general term is めまい, but there are also more specific or literary expressions.
To express the common medical symptom of dizziness or a spinning sensation.
The standard, everyday word for dizziness or vertigo. Covers both the feeling of spinning and general lightheadedness.
I get dizzy when I stand up suddenly.
I've had bad vertigo since yesterday.
Kanji form of めまい, often used in written or formal contexts. Same meaning.
If symptoms of vertigo persist, please consult a doctor.
A formal, medical term for vertigo. Rare in everyday conversation.
Vertigo can be caused by abnormalities in the inner ear.
To describe the dizzy, unsteady feeling when looking down from a high place.
Literally 'fear of heights', but often used to describe the dizziness or fear experienced when looking down from a high place. More about the phobia than the sensation itself.
I have a fear of heights, so my legs freeze up when I go to high places.
A casual way to say you're not good with heights, often implying dizziness or discomfort.
To express a metaphorical dizziness caused by strong emotions, beauty, or confusion.
Literally 'eyes spin'. Used for both literal dizziness and figurative overwhelming busyness or confusion.
I'm so busy with work I feel dizzy.
Onomatopoeic expression for feeling dizzy or lightheaded, often from heat, exhaustion, or emotional shock.
I was dizzy from its beauty.
Using めまい with がする to describe a momentary feeling of dizziness, sometimes used figuratively in literary contexts.
I felt a moment of vertigo at his words.
めまい is the everyday term for dizziness, while 眩暈 (げんうん) is a formal medical term. In most situations, めまい is appropriate.
I feel dizzy, so I'll rest a bit.
English 'vertigo' sometimes implies a fear of heights, but Japanese めまい is purely the sensation. Use 高所恐怖症 for the phobia.
People with a fear of heights shouldn't come to this observation deck.
I'm not good with heights; I feel like I'm going to get dizzy.