こむら返り
komuragaeri
In Japanese, 'cramp' is こむら返り (komuragaeri).
The noun こむら返り refers to a painful contraction of a muscle. When you want to describe the action of a muscle seizing or cramping, you use the verb 攣る. For example, to say 'my leg cramped' or 'I have a cramp in my leg', you use the phrase 足が攣る (ashi ga tsuru).
Meaning: painful contraction of a muscle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun こむら返り literally translates to 'the calf turning back'.
Which one should you use?
While 攣る is a general verb for any muscle seizing, こむら返り is a specific noun often used to refer to a cramp in the calf.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 攣る is used to describe the action of a muscle cramping or seizing.
How do you pronounce it?
komuragaeri
Did you know?
- Japanese differentiates between a cramp (攣る) and a muscle strain or pull (肉離れ), the latter of which literally means 'muscle separation'.
- Japanese speakers often use the English-derived loanword ストレッチ (sutoretchi) to suggest the remedy of stretching when someone is suffering from a cramp.
- Japanese speakers often describe a cramp as something the leg 'does' using the verb 攣る, rather than something they 'have' as a condition.
Examples in context
- 脚の痙攣があります。I have a leg cramp.
- 夜中にこむら返りが起きました。yachuu ni komuragaeri ga okimashita.I had a muscle cramp in the middle of the night.
- こむら返りはとても痛いです。komuragaeri wa totemo itai desu.A muscle cramp is very painful.
- 運動中にこむら返りになりました。undouchuu ni komuragaeri ni narimashita.I got a muscle cramp during exercise.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are swimming in a pool.
- 結衣 Yuiいたっ！急にこむら返りがきた！Itat! Kyuu ni komuragaeri ga kita!Ouch! I suddenly got a leg cramp!
- 陽太 Yota大丈夫？ゆっくり足を伸ばして。Daijoubu? Yukkuri ashi o nobashite.Are you okay? Stretch your leg slowly.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、陽太。だいぶ楽になったよ。Arigatou, Youta. Daibu raku ni natta yo.Thanks, Yota. It feels much better now.
- 陽太 Yota無理しないで、ゆっくり休んでね。Muri shinaide, yukkuri yasunde ne.Don't push yourself, just take a good rest.
