As someone who does not speak English as their first language, I often encounter a problem when writing: how to describe certain activities.
This is because translations do not always convey the meaning I want to express. That is why I have been working on a mini dictionary for some time now.
The list will be updated as soon as I manage to create another category or encounter another problem.
Below you will find:
Said
Asked
Sounds Without Words
Touch
Move
Emotions In Speach
Voice Tone
Way Of Breathing
Eye Expression
Movement / friction
Involuntary Sensations / Muscle Responses
Onomatopoeic Words
Verbal reactions
Mouth movements
Posture and body position
Physiological reactions
It may contain mistakes, I'm not a genius at English, I may have messed something up.
I have also started a new batch with prompts, i.e., what to do when I run out of words and need new, alternative phrases that better convey the meaning. Divided into categories for convenience (solo posts). It will be updated on an ongoing basis:
Reactions to leaving without permission
Pulling away — similar to leaving without permission
Giving compliment — or so it's for me
What he can say after a kiss
Commands
Control through attention
Said
1. Neutral / Basic
said – the most common, neutral reporting verb
told – to give information to someone directly
stated – to say something clearly and formally
remark – to comment casually or briefly
noted – to mention or observe in passing
observe – to say something as an observation or fact
declare – to announce formally or officially
proclaim – to announce publicly and with emphasis
assert – to state firmly and confidently
announce – to make something known publicly
affirm – to confirm or strongly state something as true
2. Sharp / Aggressive
snap – to speak suddenly and sharply, often in anger
growl – to speak in a low, rough, angry tone
bark – to shout abruptly, like a command
hiss – to whisper angrily, with sharpness or contempt
spat – to speak angrily and abruptly, often after an insult
roar – to shout loudly in rage or authority
thunder – to speak with booming, overwhelming force
snarl – to speak with hostility, like an animal baring teeth
scream – to cry out in anger, fear, or frustration
threat(en) – to speak in a menacing or intimidating way
3. Impatient / Reluctant
grumble – to complain in a low, annoyed tone
mutter – to speak quietly and unclearly, often displeased
mumble – to speak unclearly, almost under one’s breath
groan – to complain or respond with frustration or pain
sigh – to speak while exhaling, showing weariness or resignation
4. Quietly / Confidentially
whisper – to speak very softly, in secrecy or intimacy
breathe – to speak almost as softly as breathing itself
murmur – to speak softly and gently, often soothingly
utter – to say softly, often with difficulty or hesitation
mutter – to speak low, under one’s breath (can be secretive or annoyed)
5. Emotional / Emphasis
exclaim – to cry out suddenly, in surprise or excitement
shout – to speak loudly, often in urgency or anger
yell – to call out loudly, usually emotionally charged
cry – to call out in distress, fear, or strong feeling
plead – to ask desperately, with urgency and emotion
beg – to implore, asking earnestly or desperately
demand – to ask forcefully, leaving no room for refusal
order – to command with authority
command – to give a directive authoritatively and decisively
6. With Additional Emotions
laugh – to speak while laughing, light-heartedly
chuckle – to speak with a quiet, amused laugh
sneer – to speak with contempt, mocking or scornful tone
mock – to imitate or ridicule cruelly or playfully
tease – to joke or provoke lightly, often playfully
taunt – to provoke or insult to upset someone
jeer – to ridicule loudly, often in a group
joke – to say something humorous or playful
Asked
1. Neutral / Basic
asked – the standard, most neutral way to request information
inquired – to ask formally or politely about something
queried – to raise a question, often showing doubt or curiosity
2. With Emotion / Tone
wondered – to ask in a reflective, curious, or uncertain way
questioned – to ask closely, sometimes with suspicion
demanded – to ask forcefully, expecting an answer
pressed – to push for an answer, with persistence
probed – to dig deeper with detailed, sometimes uncomfortable questions
challenged – to question in a confrontational or defiant way
3. In Everyday Dialogue
inquired of – to ask someone directly, a bit formal but conversational
wanted to know – casual phrasing, showing simple curiosity
checked – to ask in order to confirm or verify something
posed – to put forward a question, often neutrally or thoughtfully
4. Emotional Strain
snapped – to ask sharply and angrily
barked – to ask abruptly, like an order
growled – to ask in a low, hostile tone
hissed – to ask with anger or contempt, in a sharp whisper
muttered – to ask quietly, unclearly, often annoyed
whispered – to ask very softly, in secrecy or intimacy
stammered – to ask while stumbling over words, nervous or shaken
pleaded – to ask desperately, with emotion and urgency
begged – to ask earnestly, desperately seeking a response
implored – to ask with intense emotion, almost a heartfelt plea
Sounds without words
1. Surprise / Emotions
gasp – a sudden, sharp intake of breath, often from shock or awe
pant – short, quick breaths, usually from exertion or excitement
huff – a sharp exhalation, often showing irritation or impatience
puff – heavier, blowing breaths, usually from effort or tiredness
2. Pain / Suffering (neutral use, not in NSFW)
groan – a low, drawn-out sound of discomfort, pain, or annoyance
moan – a prolonged sound expressing pain, sadness, or exhaustion
whimper – a soft, broken sound, showing weakness or distress
yelp – a short, high-pitched cry, usually sudden pain or fright
cry out – a loud exclamation of pain, fear, or strong emotion
wail – a long, loud, mournful cry of grief or suffering
3. Sadness / Fatigue
sigh – a deep breath out, showing weariness, sadness, or relief
sob – loud, uncontrolled crying, with heaving breaths
sniffle – short, wet inhalations, often while holding back tears or with a runny nose
snivel – crying or whining with weak, self-pitying sounds
4. Anger / Frustration
snarl – a low, aggressive sound, often with bared teeth
growl – a deep, rumbling sound of anger or threat
grunt – a short, rough sound, showing effort or annoyance
grumble – a low, complaining sound, halfway between words and noise
roar – a loud, booming cry of anger, frustration, or authority
5. Joy / Relief
chuckle – a soft, low laugh, amused and gentle
giggle – a high-pitched, silly laugh, often nervous or playful
snicker – a suppressed, sly laugh, mocking or secretive
laugh – a general expression of amusement or joy, varying in tone
cackle – a loud, harsh laugh, often manic or mischievous
squeal – a high-pitched cry of delight, excitement, or surprise
Touch
1. Light / Gentle Touch
brush – to touch lightly in passing, often barely noticeable
caress – to touch softly and lovingly, usually with the hand
stroke – to move the hand gently and smoothly along a surface
pat – a light, quick touch, often reassuring or friendly
tap – a small, brief touch, usually with the fingers or hand
dab – to touch lightly, often to apply or remove something
graze – to touch slightly, often by accident or in passing
2. Stronger / Definite Touch
grab – to take hold of suddenly and firmly
clutch – to hold something tightly, often with desperation
seize – to take hold of forcefully or with urgency
grip – a firm, controlled hold with the hand
hold – to keep something in the hand or arms steadily
squeeze – to press something tightly between hands or fingers
press – to push down or against with steady force
grasp – to take firmly into the hand, usually with intent
3. Movement / Friction
rub – to move the hand repeatedly back and forth on a surface
knead – to press, stretch, and work something (like dough or muscles) with the hands
massage – to rub or knead muscles, usually to relieve tension
scratch – to scrape with nails or fingers, sometimes relieving an itch
tickle – to touch lightly in a way that provokes laughter or squirming
ruffle – to move through or disturb (like hair or fabric) with the hand
4. Urgency / Intensity
shove – to push roughly or forcefully
push – to apply force to move something or someone away
tug – to pull quickly and sharply
jerk – to move or pull suddenly with force
yank – to pull with a strong, sharp movement
drag – to pull someone or something along the ground or surface
5. Supportive / Caring Contact
embrace – to hold closely in the arms, often warmly
hug – to put arms around someone in affection or comfort
cuddle – to hold close for warmth or affection, often gently
snuggle – to settle closely and comfortably against someone or something
hold onto – to keep physical contact, often for reassurance or stability
Move
This category may be similar to movement / friction, but I see subtle differences, so I made a separate category. Move is intended to show motion from point to point. Movement / friction may refer more to motion in place, movement of a body part, not necessarily the whole body as in move.
1. Neutral / Basic Movement
moved – general, neutral
shifted – slightly, imperceptibly
turned – rotation, often with determination
leaned – slight movement in one direction
reached – movement with the intention of reaching for something/someone
2. Slow / Hesitant
inched – literally: to move inch by inch; tension, caution.
crept – quietly, as if in hiding; not only physically, but also emotionally (“crept closer”).
slid – smooth movement, almost silent, can be sensual or disturbing.
drifted – fluid movement, aimless, often with thoughtfulness.
glided – elegantly, lightly, almost effortlessly.
3. Sudden / Sharp / Controlled
snapped – violent, impulsive; can refer to movement of the head, hands, or body.
jerked – sudden, jerky movement; lack of full control.
whipped – quick, sharp, like a cut; intense reaction.
lunged – violent step forward, often with aggression or desperation.
snatched – quick movement with intent; control, desire, anger.
This category will be slightly different, but equally necessary. These are verbal reactions during speech without interrupting the dialogue to add narration. This makes it easier to imagine how a particular statement sounded without constantly inserting reactions into the narration. Below, I have created some categories, emotional tones, and rhythmic nuances (how length, repetition, and punctuation change the sound or meaning).
1. Light / Breathless / Startled
Used when a character is surprised, breathless, flustered, or reacting to sudden touch or emotion.
ah - soft, startled - brief intake of breath — surprise, slight pain, or pleasure
e.g.: “It’s not— ah— like that.”
oh - airy, emotional - softer than ah; often linked to realization or wonder“
e.g.: Oh... I didn’t expect you here.”
hah - breathy, amused - mixes air and sound — half-laugh, half-exhale
e.g.: “Don’t— hah— tease me.”
uh - uncertain, hesitant - filler of hesitation or confusion
e.g.: “I— uh— didn’t mean to.”
hm / hmm - thoughtful, restrained - often shows mild agreement or suppressed emotion
e.g.: “Hmm... you really think so?”
mm - muffled, through closed lips - gentle hum of satisfaction, sometimes sensual
e.g.: “Mm... maybe.”
Rhythmic note:
Short = spontaneous (reaction).
Repeated (hah, hah) = panting or breathless.
Ellipsis (...) = hesitation or soft trailing off.
2. Heated / Sensual / Restrained
Used for NSFW or high-tension moments when speech and breath collide — words interrupted by physical reaction, desire, or restraint.
ahh - open, releasing soft - breathy exhale of pleasure or relief
E.g.: “Ahh— right there.”
hahh - shaky, forced heavier breathing - tense control or arousal
E.g.: “Don’t— hahh— stop.”
mmh / mnh - muffled, closed-mouth -subdued moan or breath through resistance
e.g.: “Mmh... you’re impossible.”
ngh - guttural, restrained sound caught in the throat — effort or stifled pleasure
e.g.: “Ngh— wait.”
hnn -internalized, tense - tight, barely audible; often signals control
e.g.: “Hnn— you think I’ll break?”
aah - open, vulnerable louder or less controlled sound — surrender or high emotion
e.g.: “Aah— please—”
I’ve created Queer_Ink_Collective, a space for LGBTQ+ creators to share writing, art, and original work in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
Especially welcoming to character-driven stories, romance, emotional narratives, and creative experimentation. I want to really focus on support spaces for self expression and community sharing.
If you’ve been looking for a place to connect, share, or discover new voices, you’re warmly invited.
Join us here → https://www.tumblr.com/join/DvL-3K0O
