Translation guide
To move with twisting, squirming motions, often to escape or due to discomfort. Japanese has several verbs that capture different nuances of wriggling, from physical movement to metaphorical restlessness.
To twist and turn the body, like a worm or a person trying to get free.
Literally 'twist one's body'. Used for people or animals making a twisting motion, often to escape or due to discomfort.
彼は痛みで身をよじった。
He wriggled in pain.
The baby wriggled to get out of the hug.
To writhe or wriggle violently, often in pain or agony. Stronger and more dramatic than 身をよじる.
傷ついた蛇が地面でのたうっていた。
The injured snake was wriggling on the ground.
To squirm or wriggle, often used for a mass of small creatures or a creepy, crawling motion.
腐った肉に蛆がうごめいていた。
Maggots were wriggling in the rotten meat.
To move in a wriggling, sinuous manner, like a snake or a dancer. Often has a slightly playful or exaggerated nuance.
ミミズがくねくね動いている。
The earthworm is wriggling.
To escape from a hold or tight space by twisting the body.
Literally 'escape by twisting one's body'. A clear, natural way to describe wriggling free.
子供は私の手から体をくねらせて逃げた。
The child wriggled out of my grasp.
To slip out smoothly, like a fish. Emphasizes the ease or suddenness of escape.
彼は拘束をするりと抜け出した。
He wriggled out of the restraints.
To escape by twisting one's body. More formal or literary than 体をくねらせて逃げる.
彼は縄から身をよじって逃れた。
He wriggled free from the ropes.
To move into a narrow space by twisting or squeezing.
To enter by twisting one's body. Natural for describing squeezing into a tight spot.
猫が狭い隙間に体をくねらせて入り込んだ。
The cat wriggled into the narrow gap.
To enter with a wriggling, fidgety motion. Often used for small creatures or children.
子供が布団の中にもぞもぞと入ってきた。
The child wriggled into the futon.
To squirm due to awkwardness, nervousness, or physical discomfort.
To fidget or squirm, typically from embarrassment, shyness, or hesitation. Very common for social awkwardness.
彼は恥ずかしそうにもじもじしていた。
He was wriggling with embarrassment.
To be restless or fidgety, often from nervousness or impatience. Less about twisting, more about inability to stay still.
面接の前、彼はそわそわしていた。
He was wriggling nervously before the interview.
To feel itchy or have an urge to move; can describe a physical sensation that makes you want to wriggle.
鼻がむずむずして、くしゃみが出そうだ。
My nose is tickling, I feel like wriggling it.
To avoid something, especially a duty or question, by evasive behavior.
To make excuses and evade. Equivalent to 'wriggle out of' a situation verbally.
彼はまた言い逃れをして約束を守らなかった。
He wriggled out of his promise again.
To evade responsibility. A direct way to say 'wriggle out of responsibility'.
彼は巧みに責任を逃れた。
He skillfully wriggled out of responsibility.
To dodge or evade smoothly, like slipping away. Can be used for questions or obligations.
彼は難しい質問をするりとかわした。
He wriggled out of the difficult question.
身をよじる is the most general for a person or animal twisting their body. のたうつ implies violent writhing, often in pain. うごめく is for creepy, crawling movements of small creatures or masses.
彼はくすぐられて身をよじった。
He wriggled when tickled.
瀕死の魚が甲板でのたうっていた。
The dying fish was wriggling on the deck.
暗闇で何かがうごめいていた。
Something was wriggling in the dark.
English 'wriggle' covers many twisting motions, but Japanese often uses specific mimetic words or compound verbs. Avoid direct translation; choose based on the type of movement and context.