Definition
Making small, weak crying or complaining sounds, usually expressing sadness, pain, or fear.
Etymology
Possibly from Old Norse or Scandinavian roots, the word appeared in English around the 1500s. It may be related to 'whine' but carries a softer connotation.
Kelly Says
Dogs and wolves whimper as a way to show submission and ask for help from their pack—it's a vulnerable sound that works across species to trigger compassion!
Translations
CACatalà
grogots
groh-gohts
CSČeština
šepoty
she-po-tee
DEDeutsch
Weinseln
vayn-zeln
ELΕλληνικά
σφύριγμα
sfy-ree-gma
ESEspañol
sollozos
soh-yoh-zos
FISuomi
murina
muu-ree-nah
FRFrançais
chuchotements
chush-oh-te-mahn
HEעברית
נביחות
na-bee-ho-t
HUMagyar
suttogások
soo-to-gah-shak
IDBahasa Indonesia
menangis
me-nan-gis
ITItaliano
piagnucoli
pee-ah-n-koo-lee
JA日本語
弱々しい泣き声
jaku-jaku-shii-naki-goe
KO한국어
훌쩍거림
hulleok-geo-rim
MSBahasa Melayu
menangis
me-nan-gis
NLNederlands
whimpers
hwi-mp-ers
PTPortuguês
choro
sho-roh
RUРусский
вскрики
vskree-kee
SVSvenska
viskningar
vis-k-ningar
SWKiswahili
kilio
kee-lee-oh
TAதமிழ்
குழுகுழுகு
ku-zhu-ku-zhu-ku
TEతెలుగు
బాగా బాగా
ba-ga ba-ga
TRTürkçe
fısıltılar
fi-silt-lah-r
UKУкраїнська
шепіт
she-peet
VITiếng Việt
nức nở
nuhk-noh
ZUZU
isigqina
ee-see-g-kee-na
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Coded as feminine or weak in literature and speech; masculine characters 'groan' or 'mutter' while feminine characters 'whimper.'
Inclusive Usage
Use based on actual vocal quality, not character gender. Works equally for any speaker.