Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Cry" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "cry", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
なく
なく (naku)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
泣く
なく (naku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cry" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between なく and 泣く.
In Japanese, なく (なく (naku)) is typically associated with "to cry (human), to sing/bark/meow (animal)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Can refer to humans crying.
On the other hand, 泣く (なく (naku)) maps to "to cry, to weep" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Describes the act of shedding tears due to sadness, pain, joy, or other strong emotions.. A literal translation of "cry" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "なく"
悲しくて子供が泣いています。
The child is crying because they are sad.
Bilingual Context for "泣く"
悲しい映画を見て、彼女は泣きました。
She cried after watching a sad movie.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "悲しくて子供が泣いています。" (Meaning: "The child is crying because they are sad.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "なく" fits here because it means "to cry (human), to sing/bark/meow (animal)" in the context of: "The child is crying because they are sad.". "泣く" represents "to cry, to weep".