Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 揺らす | yurasu | [jɯ̟ɾa̠sɨ] (narrow) |
| 揺する | yusuru | [jɯ̟sɨɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 振る | furu | [ɸɯ̟ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
The Japanese verbs for shake are chosen based on the motion and the size of the object being moved. 揺らす is used for causing an object or structure to sway or oscillate, such as a cradle or a tree. For shaking small objects held in the hand, such as a salt shaker or a tambourine or for waving something, use 振る. In informal contexts, to describe a gentle swaying or rocking motion, you can use the expression ゆらゆらする.
Which one should you use?
揺らす describes an object moving in a swaying or oscillating motion, such as moving something back and forth or up and down. In contrast, 振る is used when an object is shaken vigorously or waved, like waving a hand or shaking a bottle.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
揺らす is the transitive form of the intransitive verb 揺れる, which means to shake or to sway.
How do you pronounce it?
yurasu
Did you know?
- While 振る means to shake or wave, it is also the standard verb used to mean 'to reject' or 'to dump' a romantic partner.
- When shaking a hand during a greeting, Japanese speakers often use 握手する which literally means 'to do a grip-hand' rather than using the verbs for shaking.
- In Japanese, the way a person shakes or sways can be described with onomatopoeia like ゆらゆら (yura yura) for a gentle sway or がたがた (gata gata) for a violent rattling.
Examples in context
- 彼女は箱を振るのが好きです。She likes to shake boxes.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 振る when talking about shaking boxes.Tatoeba #10247669 by terrywallwork, translation #10247673 by terrywallwork
- 彼は寒さで震えている。He is shaking from the cold.
- 花が風に揺れている。The flowers are shaking in the wind.
- 彼は席で足を揺らしている。He is shaking his leg at his seat.
- 子供がブランコを揺らす。Kodomo ga buranko o yurasu.A child shakes a swing.
- 地震が建物を激しく揺らす。Jishin ga tatemono o hageshiku yurasu.An earthquake shakes the building violently.
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are trying to wake up a sleeping cat.
- 大翔 Hiroto猫を少しだけ揺らしてみるよ。Neko o sukoshi dake yurashte miru yo.I'll try shaking the cat just a little.
- 結衣 Yuiあんまり強く揺らさないでね。Anmari tsuyoku yurasanaide ne.Please don't shake it too hard.
- 大翔 Hiroto分かった。ゆっくり揺らすよ。Wakatta. Yukkuri yurasu yo.I understand. I'll shake it slowly.
- 結衣 Yuiあ、起きたみたい！A, okita mitai!Oh, it looks like it woke up!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shake” translations and entries 揺らす, 揺する, 振る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
