1.
to be moved to tears; to get teary-eyed; to well up with tears
To have tears form in one's eyes without necessarily crying. Describes the moment when emotion causes tears to well up, whether from sadness, joy, or being deeply moved.
感動して涙ぐんだ。
I was moved and got teary-eyed.
卒業式で先生が涙ぐんでいた。
The teacher was getting teary-eyed at the graduation ceremony.
久しぶりに再会した友人の姿を見て、思わず涙ぐんでしまった。
Seeing a friend I hadn't met in a long time, I couldn't help but well up with tears.
Describes the state just before actual crying — tears forming in the eyes. More restrained than 泣く (to cry).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 感動して涙ぐむ (to be moved to tears)
- 思わず涙ぐむ (to involuntarily get teary-eyed)
- 涙ぐむ声 (a voice choked with tears)
USAGE NOTE:
涙ぐむ is intransitive and focuses on the involuntary emotional response of tears welling up. It is more literary and expressive than simply saying 涙が出る (tears come out).