Meaning and Usage
The verb うなる primarily means "to groan" or "to moan," often expressing pain, effort, or discomfort. It can also describe a low, continuous sound like a roar or rumble, such as an engine or animal noise.
Common Contexts
- Expressing physical pain or discomfort: People often うなる when hurt or struggling with something heavy.
- Describing sounds: Machines, engines, or animals can うなる to indicate a loud, deep noise.
Collocations and Patterns
- うなるほど (to the extent of groaning): used to emphasize effort or difficulty.
- うなる声 (groaning voice): describes the sound someone makes when in pain or exertion.
- エンジンがうなる (engine roars): common phrase for mechanical sounds.
Register and Nuance
うなる is generally neutral but can convey strong emotion or physical strain. It is used in both casual and formal contexts depending on the sentence.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse うなる with 唸る (same reading but different kanji), which can have a more literary or formal nuance. In everyday use, うなる is often written in hiragana and focuses on audible groaning or roaring sounds.