Translation guide
The English verb 'wail' describes a loud, high-pitched cry expressing grief, pain, or distress. It can also refer to a similar sound made by objects like sirens or wind. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
To describe a person wailing loudly due to sorrow, anguish, or physical pain.
A common and natural verb meaning to cry and shout loudly, often in distress or grief.
彼女は悲しみのあまり泣き叫んだ。
She wailed in grief.
子供が注射を打たれて泣き叫んでいる。
The child is wailing after getting a shot.
Means to shout or yell loudly, often in anger or distress. Can imply a more chaotic or hysterical tone.
彼は痛みでわめき始めた。
He started wailing in pain.
A more formal or literary term for crying loudly and uncontrollably, often used in written descriptions.
遺族は棺の前で号泣した。
The bereaved family wailed in front of the coffin.
Combines crying and shouting; emphasizes a loud, persistent wailing, often used for children or dramatic scenes.
赤ん坊が一晩中泣きわめいていた。
The baby wailed all night long.
To describe a siren, wind, or musical instrument producing a wailing sound.
Means to resound or echo loudly; often used for sirens, alarms, or loud cries.
救急車のサイレンが鳴り響いた。
The ambulance siren wailed.
Describes a low, continuous, moaning sound; can be used for wind or engines, but less high-pitched than 'wail'.
To describe a singer or instrument producing a long, emotional, wailing sound, especially in blues or rock.
A phrase meaning 'crying melody', often used to describe a wailing guitar or vocal style.
彼のギターは泣きのメロディーを奏でる。
His guitar wails a sorrowful melody.
Literally 'to sing as if shouting'; describes a powerful, wailing vocal style.
彼女は叫ぶように歌い上げた。
She wailed the song with passion.
泣き叫ぶ focuses on crying with tears and loud voice, while わめく emphasizes shouting or yelling, not necessarily with tears. Use 泣き叫ぶ for grief, わめく for anger or hysterics.
English 'wail' for sirens is often translated as 鳴り響く or 鳴る, not a direct equivalent of 'cry'. Using 泣く for a siren would sound unnatural.
I could hear the wind wailing.
Literally 'to raise a scream'; can be used metaphorically for objects making a shrieking sound.
ブレーキが悲鳴を上げた。
The brakes wailed.