Translation guide
A physical reaction to pain, discomfort, or embarrassment, often involving a slight flinch or grimace.
To react physically to a sudden pain or sharp sensation, like pulling back or tensing up.
To flinch or recoil from fear, pain, or surprise. Often used for a momentary hesitation or drawing back.
I winced at the sight of the needle.
To stagger back or flinch, often from shock or an unexpected attack. Slightly more dramatic than ひるむ.
He winced at those words.
To shrink back or cower, literally 'shrink one's body'. Implies a defensive flinch.
I winced at the loud noise.
To make a pained facial expression, often with a slight tightening of the face.
To show a slight physical reaction to something embarrassing, cringeworthy, or socially uncomfortable.
To involuntarily grimace, often from secondhand embarrassment or an awkward moment.
I winced at his mistake.
To be put off or recoil emotionally; slang for cringing. Often used when something is awkward or embarrassing.
A feeling of shrinking back, often from shame or fear. More literary.
I winced at my own blunder.
Both mean to flinch, but ひるむ is more about a mental hesitation or momentary fear, while たじろぐ often involves a physical step back or stagger. ひるむ is more common in everyday speech.
He doesn't flinch from difficulties.
I winced at the sudden light.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'wince'. Using a direct translation like ウィンスする is not natural. Instead, describe the physical reaction using phrases like 顔をしかめる or ひるむ depending on context.
She winced as the dentist touched the sore tooth.
He winced at the memory of his embarrassing speech.
He winced at the pain from the wound.
I winced a bit at that remark.