Translation guide
Describes a neck injury from sudden head movement, often in car accidents, or the motion itself. Japanese distinguishes the injury, the motion, and related concepts.
The medical condition, typically from a car accident.
Standard medical term for whiplash injury. Literally 'whip-strike syndrome'.
I got whiplash from a traffic accident.
Common abbreviation for whiplash injury, used in everyday conversation.
My neck hurts from whiplash.
Formal medical term: cervical sprain. Used in medical reports.
The diagnosis was cervical sprain (whiplash).
The physical action of something moving like a whip, not necessarily an injury.
Describes the whipping motion itself, often in physics or engineering contexts.
The impact caused a whiplash motion.
Descriptive phrase: 'a motion that bends like a whip'. Used in sports or dance.
Metaphorical use, like 'whiplash' from rapid policy changes or emotional shifts.
The English word 'whiplash' is often used metaphorically for sudden change or emotional shock. In Japanese, むち打ち primarily refers to the physical injury. For figurative uses, choose phrases like 急激な反動 or 振り回される感じ instead.
His pitching form has a whiplash motion.
I feel emotional whiplash from his mood swings.