Is There a Word for That Teary, Almost-Crying Feeling? Try Saying It in One Sound Word

There’s a kind of emotion that doesn’t shout —
it just rises quietly and pools in your eyes.

You’re not crying… not yet.
But the feeling is right there,
bubbling just under the surface.

It’s the moment when kindness hits you unexpectedly.
When you’re overwhelmed with gratitude.
When someone says something that reaches too deep.

English gives us phrases like “watery eyes” or “choked up,”
but what if there were a word that shimmers with that feeling?

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

But none of these fully express the texture, emotion, and rhythm of the moment.

If You Had to Say It in One Word… Try “Uru Uru”

In Japanese, there’s an onomatopoeic expression that captures this exact emotion:
uru uru (うるうる) — the shimmering, swelling moment just before the tears fall.

It’s one of the many magical sound-based expressions in Japanese known as onomatopoeia,
where words are crafted not just by meaning, but by how things feel and move.

With “uru uru,” you can describe that fragile in-between space —
when the eyes shine with emotion, and the heart feels soft and full.

What Does “Uru Uru” Really Mean?

Want to learn more about its pronunciation, nuance, and how it appears in manga or daily conversation?

Dive into the following page: