Translation guide
Describes twisting, squirming, or writhing movements, often of a body or body part. Japanese has several verbs and mimetic words that capture different nuances of wriggling, from restless fidgeting to sinuous crawling.
To describe a person or animal moving their body in a twisting, restless, or uncomfortable way, often due to discomfort, impatience, or playfulness.
The child wriggled to get out of the hug.
Mimetic word for fidgeting or squirming restlessly, often due to discomfort or boredom. Can also describe a creepy-crawly sensation.
He was wriggling in his seat out of boredom.
To writhe or squirm, often in pain or agony. Has a dramatic, sometimes literary feel.
He writhed in agony from stomach pain.
To squirm or wriggle, often used for a mass of creatures or something creepy. Can be used figuratively.
Maggots were wriggling in the wound.
To describe the sinuous, slithering motion of a long, thin animal.
Mimetic word for wriggling or slithering with bends and curves. Commonly used for snakes, worms, or even a person swaying their hips.
The earthworm is wriggling.
To wriggle or squirm like a snake. Often used in the form のたくる.
A snake was wriggling on the road.
To undulate or wind; describes a wavy, sinuous movement, often for snakes, rivers, or roads.
To describe escaping from a confined space or someone's hold by twisting and squeezing.
Literally 'twist one's body and slip out'. A clear, physical description of wriggling free.
He wriggled out of the narrow gap.
To slip out smoothly and quickly, like a fish. Implies a deft, wriggling escape.
To struggle and escape; emphasizes effort and flailing rather than smooth wriggling.
To describe small, repeated movements of digits, often playfully or to restore circulation.
Simple and neutral: 'move one's fingers/toes'. Context usually makes 'wriggling' clear.
He wriggled his toes inside his boots.
Mimetic word for fidgety movement; can be used for wriggling fingers or toes.
The baby is wriggling its tiny fingers.
もぞもぞ implies restless, fidgety movement, often from discomfort or impatience. くねくね describes a bending, sinuous motion like a snake or a swaying dance. Use もぞもぞ for a child who can't sit still, and くねくね for a worm or a winding road.
He was fidgeting during the interview.
The snake wriggles along.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'wriggle'. Avoid directly translating 'wriggle' as 身をよじる in every context; it may sound overly dramatic or unnatural. Choose the expression based on the type of movement and subject.
The worm was wriggling on the wet ground.
She wriggled into the tight dress.
Describes the twisting motion needed to put on a tight garment.
蛇が草むらをうねりながら進んだ。
The snake wriggled through the grass.
The child wriggled out of his mother's grasp.
He tried to wriggle free from the ropes.