悲 鳴(ひめい)

ひめい

noun

scream, shriek, cry of distress

1. scream, shriek, cry of distress

A sharp, high-pitched cry uttered out of fear, pain, or shock. Also used figuratively to describe an extreme state of distress or strain.

悲鳴(ひめい)が聞(き)こえた。

A scream was heard.

彼女(かのじょ)は悲鳴(ひめい)を上(あ)げて逃(に)げた。

She screamed and ran away.

人手(ひとで)不足(ぶそく)で現場(げんば)は悲鳴(ひめい)を上(あ)げている。

The workplace is crying out from the lack of staff.

Figurative use: a situation in extreme strain.

悲鳴(ひめい) combines 悲(ひ) (sad, tragic) and 鳴(めい) (cry, sound).

Common collocations

悲鳴(ひめい)を上(あ)げる: to let out a scream
悲鳴(ひめい)が響(ひび)く: a scream echoes
悲鳴(ひめい)が聞(き)こえる: a scream is heard

Usage

悲鳴(ひめい)を上(あ)げる is commonly used figuratively to mean "to be under extreme strain":

家計(かけい)が悲鳴(ひめい)を上(あ)げている: household finances are groaning
体(からだ)が悲鳴(ひめい)を上(あ)げる: one's body is crying out (from overwork or exhaustion)

Similar words

悲鳴(ひめい): scream of fear or distress
叫(さけ)び: shout, cry (broader, not limited to distress)
絶叫(ぜっきょう): shriek, piercing scream (more intense)

Related Words

Compare: 絶叫(ぜっきょう) (shriek, piercing scream)

Related: 金切(かなき)り声(ごえ) (shrill voice)

Compare: 呻(うめ)き声(ごえ) (groan)

Compare: 叫(さけ)び声(ごえ) (shout)

general

Added 2026.2.22 13:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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