1.
to sob, to cry convulsively
To cry uncontrollably with gasping, hiccupping breaths. Describes intense, convulsive crying where the person can barely catch their breath. Most commonly describes children's crying but also used for adults overwhelmed by emotion.
子どもが泣きじゃくっていた。
The child was sobbing.
迷子の女の子が泣きじゃくっている。
A lost girl is crying uncontrollably.
母親の腕の中で泣きじゃくる赤ちゃんをあやした。
She soothed the baby that was sobbing in its mother's arms.
USAGE:
Describes a very intense, convulsive type of crying characterized by hiccupping and gasping for breath. It is more visceral than simply 泣く (to cry). Most commonly used to describe small children who are crying so hard they cannot stop, but also applies to adults in moments of overwhelming grief or emotion.
The te-form 泣きじゃくって is the most common form encountered, as the word typically describes an ongoing state.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 泣く: to cry (general, neutral)
- 泣き崩れる: to break down in tears (collapse while crying)
- すすり泣く: to weep quietly, to sniffle