What Does “Watery Eyes” or “Almost Crying” Sound Like in Japanese? Let’s Dive into Anime & Manga!

01/14/2026

In English-language anime and manga, emotionally charged moments are often described with words like “Teary-eyed”, “Watery Eyes”, or “Choked Up.”

These are the moments when a character is holding back tears —
their eyes shimmer, their lips tremble, but the tears haven’t fallen just yet.

But how is this deeply emotional state captured in the original Japanese?

Let’s step into the world of anime and manga and discover how Japanese onomatopoeia gives feelings a glistening voice.

Table of Contents

What Is a “Watery Eyes” Moment?

It’s when someone is on the edge of crying —
full of emotion, but still holding it in.

In anime and manga, this happens when:

a character hears something unexpectedly kind
someone is overwhelmed with gratitude
a memory or reunion stirs powerful emotions
a child gets scolded and tries not to cry

In English, these moments are often described as:

Watery Eyes – Eyes filling with unshed tears
Teary-eyed – Emotion visibly welling up
Choked Up – Trying not to cry while feeling overwhelmed
Eyes Brimming with Tears – Full, sparkling emotion

So how does Japanese express this glistening, tearful moment?

How Is This Feeling Expressed in Japanese?

In Japanese, emotions often take physical form through sound —
and for the shimmering feeling of near-tears, the perfect word is:

“Uru Uru” (うるうる)

It’s the sound of eyes welling up with emotion —
sparkling, watery, and full of feeling, right before the tears fall.

Let’s hear how it sounds.