わめく

わ

め

く

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

shout; yell; scream; clamor

usually written using kana alone

Describes loud, often emotional vocal outbursts, such as shouting in anger, crying out, or making a noisy fuss. Can be used for both individuals and groups.

彼かれは怒おこってわめき始はじめた。
He got angry and started shouting.

子こ供どもたちが公こう園えんでわめいている。

The children are yelling in the park.

Written forms

わめくUsage73%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 喚く is also common, but 叫く is rare.
喚わめくUsage26%
Common kanji spelling; used in formal or literary contexts.
叫わめくUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; learners should prefer わめく or 喚く.

Kanji

喚yell, cry, call
叫shout, exclaim, yell

Similar words

叫さけぶ
叫ぶ is a more general word for shouting or screaming, often with a clearer purpose or message. わめく emphasizes the noisy, clamorous, or emotionally charged nature of the outburst.
怒ど鳴なる
怒鳴る specifically means to shout angrily at someone, often in a scolding manner. わめく can be angry but also includes crying out or making a racket without a direct target.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the mimetic word わめく, but the exact derivation is unclear.