Meaning and Usage
"悲鳴" (ひめい) refers to a loud, sharp scream or shriek, often expressing fear, pain, or surprise. It is commonly used in contexts where someone reacts strongly to a sudden frightening or shocking event.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "悲鳴" in stories, news reports, or conversations describing emergencies, accidents, or horror scenes. It conveys a strong emotional reaction.
Collocations and Patterns
- 悲鳴をあげる: to let out a shriek or scream, often involuntarily due to fear or pain.
- 悲鳴が聞こえる: to hear a scream, indicating a distressing situation.
- 悲鳴を上げるほど: to the extent of screaming, emphasizing intensity.
Register and Nuance
"悲鳴" is a somewhat formal or literary word compared to casual words like "叫び声" (さけびごえ). It is suitable for written and spoken Japanese when describing vivid emotional reactions.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "悲鳴" with general "叫び声" (shout or yell). Remember, "悲鳴" specifically implies a scream caused by fear, pain, or shock, not just any loud vocalization.