Thread: Cry, shout, yell, scream, shriek.

I can't figure out a difference between the words cry, shout, yell, scream and shriek. Are there any?

I guess that "to shriek" is sudden action for those who didn't expected that (she shrieked out a warning just in time), "to cry" as a result of pain or disappointment, "to shout" is deliberate act (to shout at somebody), "to yell" is used when somebody get a fright, "to scream" is a wilful action for getting attention. Am I right?

Originally Posted by delog

I can't figure out a difference between the words cry, shout, yell, scream and shriek. Are there any?

I guess that "to shriek" is sudden action for those who didn't expected that (she shrieked out a warning just in time), "to cry" as a result of pain or disappointment, "to shout" is deliberate act (to shout at somebody), "to yell" is used when somebody get a fright, "to scream" is a wilful action for getting attention. Am I right?

I would suggest the following translation:

to shriek = визгливо кричать, визжать
to cry = громко звать или плакать
to shout = прокричать
to yell = накричать
to scream = кричать/раскричаться

The words are not completely separate, it depends on context which to choose.

"Shout" and "yell" both mean "to call out loud", and I would say that yelling is possibly louder and shorter than shouting. You do either in order to be heard, when a normal level of speech is not sufficient. You can also shout and yell in anger, and I would say the yeller is angrier.

You cry out in surprise or pain, you can also cry in order to be heard, but it implies urgency or danger.

Screaming implies more fear than crying, and it is also used when many people make a lot of noise in panic and so on.

Shrieking is a short high-pitched outburst of terror. You rarely shriek something which can be understood, it's just a sound of utmost alarm.

Thank you guys.

Originally Posted by Crocodile

to shout = прокричать
to yell = накричать

According to bitpicker's explanation, I think it would be better to translate these words as:

to shout = (на/про/_)кричать
to yell = (на/про/_)орать

What do you think?

Originally Posted by delog

What do you think?

Sounds good.

You often see "cried" after dialogue; in this case it doesn't express pain, rather an elevated emotional state.

"Liz has asked us to house-sit for her this summer!" cried my wife excitedly.