Japanese word

泣く

Pronunciation

Romajinaku

Meaning

  • verbcry

Example

子どもが泣きます。ko do mo ga na ki ma su

The child cries.

Illustration for 泣く (cry)

More examples

悲しいとき、泣きます。kana shi i to ki na ki ma su

I cry when I am sad.

弟は転んでも、すぐには泣きません。otōto wa koro n de mo su gu ni wa na ki ma se n

My younger brother does not cry right away even when he falls.

Core concept

Refers to tears or a crying voice that express sadness, pain, or another strong feeling.

Common phrases

  • わんわん泣くwa n wa n na ku

    cry loudly

  • しくしく泣くshi ku shi ku na ku

    sob quietly

Similar words

泣き出すnakidasu: To begin crying suddenly or after holding back tears.

Definition in Japanese

悲しみや痛みなどを感じて、涙を流すことや泣き声を出すこと。kana shi mi ya ita mi na do o kan ji te namida o naga su ko to ya na ki goe o da su ko to

Word origin

泣く (naku, "to cry") is a native Japanese word rather than a loanword; the form 泣き (naki) is its stem before many verb endings.

Usage tips

  • In casual speech, 泣いてる (naiteru) is a shortened form of 泣いている (naite iru), so it often appears when speakers describe ongoing crying.

Opposites

Related words

  • 泣き方nakikataway of cryingnoun
  • 泣き虫nakimushicrybabynoun

Word lists with this word