泣いている
naite iru
The English word "crying" can be translated into Japanese as 泣いている (naite iru).
泣いている describes the continuous action or state of crying. If you want to specifically refer to the physical act of shedding tears, you might use the phrase 涙を流す (Namida o nagasu).
Meaning: action of the verb cry (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The form 泣いている is composed of the te-form of the verb 泣く (naku, to cry) combined with the auxiliary verb いる (iru, to be) to express a continuous action.
Which one should you use?
While 泣いている describes someone who is currently in the act of crying, the simple form 泣く (naku) is used to refer to the act of crying in a general or future sense.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual spoken Japanese, the 'i' in 泣いている is often dropped to become 泣いてる. For a more polite version, you can use 泣いています.
How does it change in a sentence?
The structure of 泣いている uses the te-form of the verb 泣く and the auxiliary verb いる to indicate that the action is ongoing.
How do you pronounce it?
naite iru
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific word 泣き虫 (nakimushi) that translates to 'cry-baby'. It combines 泣き from the verb 'to cry' and 虫 meaning 'insect', suggesting that a person who cries easily has a 'crying bug' inside them.
- In traditional Japanese theater like Noh, crying is often expressed through a highly stylized, subtle tilt of the mask rather than audible sobbing. This gesture is called shiori and signals deep grief to the audience.
- The expression 泣き寝入り (nakineiri) literally means 'crying oneself to sleep'. It is used as an idiom to describe a situation where someone has to endure a grievance or accept a loss because they have no other choice.
Examples in context
- 泣いているの？Are you crying?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is crying using 泣いている.Tatoeba #2040851 by bunbuku, translation #1886352 by CK
- 彼女は泣いている。She is crying.This sentence is useful for stating that she is crying using 泣いている.Tatoeba #91858 by bunbuku, translation #311854 by CK
- 赤ん坊が泣いている。The baby is crying.This sentence is useful for stating that the baby is crying using 泣いている.Tatoeba #142210 by bunbuku, translation #272360 by CK
- 彼女は悲しみに泣いた。(Kanojo wa kanashimi ni naita.)She cried out of sadness.
- 彼女は映画の感動シーンで涙を流した。(Kanojo wa eiga no kandou shiin de namida o nagashita.)She shed tears during a touching scene in the movie.
- 涙を流しながら感謝の気持ちを伝えた。(Namida o nagashi nagara kansha no kimochi o tsutaeta.)I expressed my gratitude while shedding tears.
- 彼は昼ドラで号泣したよ。(Kare wa hirudora de gounaku shita yo.)He bawled his eyes out while watching the daytime soap opera.
- 寂しいときに、彼はウルウルすることがよくある。(Sabishii toki ni, kare wa urururu suru koto ga yoku aru.)He often tears up when he is feeling lonely.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto find a lost kitten in the rain.
- 結衣 Yui見て、あの子が泣いているよ。Mite, ano ko ga naite iru yo.Look, that little one is crying.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。かわいそうに。Hontou da. Kawaisou ni.You're right. Poor thing.
- 結衣 Yuiまだ泣いているね。どうしよう。Mada naite iru ne. Dou shiyou.It's still crying. What should we do?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕が抱っこしてみるよ。Boku ga dakko shite miru yo.I'll try holding it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
