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How to Say ‘Not so much sharp, more like a heavy, queasy feeling.’ in Japanese

キリキリというより、重くてムカムカする感じです。

kirikiri to iu yori omoku te mukamuka suru kanji desu

[kee-ree-KEE-ree toh ee-OO yoh-REE oh-MOH-koo teh moo-kah-MOO-kah soo-roo kahn-jee dess]

Phrase Breakdown

キリキリというより、

kirikiri to iu yori

rather than a sharp pain,

Sets up a correction. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

痛いというより、かゆいです。

It's itchy rather than painful.

Words in this phrase

キリキリ

kirikiri

[kee-ree-KEE-ree]

sharp, stabbing (pain)

Onomatopoeia for a sharp, piercing pain.

Example

胃がキリキリします。

My stomach has a stabbing pain.

と

[toh]

(quotation marker)

Particle that marks what was said or written, like quotation marks.

Example

彼は「はい」と言いました。

He said "yes."

いう

[ee-OO]

say; call

Part of というより, 'rather than saying'.

Example

田中という人です。

A person called Tanaka.

より

yori

[yoh-REE]

rather than

Particle used in comparisons; after 'to iu', it means 'rather than saying...'.

Example

痛いというより、だるいです。

Rather than painful, it feels sluggish.

重くて

omoku te

heavy and…

The て-form of 重い, which links to the next description.

Example

頭が重くてつらいです。

My head feels heavy and it's hard.

Words in this phrase

重く

omoku

[oh-MOH-koo]

heavy

Te-linking form of 重い; describes a heavy, dull feeling.

Example

体が重くて動けません。

My body is heavy and I can't move.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

ムカムカする感じです。

mukamuka suru kanji desu

it feels queasy

ムカムカ means nausea or an uneasy stomach, and 感じです means 'it feels like'.

Example

少しムカムカする感じです。

I feel a little queasy.

Words in this phrase

ムカムカ

mukamuka

[moo-kah-MOO-kah]

nauseous; queasy

Onomatopoeia for a sick, churning feeling in the stomach.

Example

朝から胸がムカムカします。

I've felt queasy since morning.

する

suru

[soo-roo]

to do

A very common verb meaning 'to do' that combines with many nouns.

Example

面接の前に準備をする。

I do preparation before the interview.

感じ

kanji

[kahn-jee]

feeling; impression; sense

Often used to ask about the general vibe or impression of something.

Example

職場はどんな感じですか。

What is the workplace like?

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

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