Non-verbal expression
recording guide

Indicates a question.

• Are you sure?
• Did you hear that?
• I was going over everything again, and I started to wonder if there might be something important that we completely overlooked?

A soft, short laugh.

• <Chuckle> I didn't expect that.
• That's actually pretty funny. <Chuckle>
• Oh, that was awkward. <Chuckle>
• I tried to take it seriously, but <Chuckle> it was just too absurd.
• She looked at the tiny mistake <Chuckle> and quickly looked away.
• He read the message again and realized <Chuckle> it was meant as a joke.
• I was trying to stay composed, but the timing was so strange <Chuckle> that I nearly lost it, <Chuckle> and then I had to look away.
• She explained what had happened <Chuckle>, and I managed to hold it together for a few seconds before laughing under my breath. <Chuckle>
• The whole room went quiet after the comment, but someone at the back reacted first, <Chuckle> and then everyone else understood why.

A short, forceful sound showing effort, exertion, or acknowledgement.

• <Grunt> This is heavier than it looks.
• Come on… <Grunt> …almost there.
• Fine, I'll do it. <Grunt>
• I kept pushing through it, and <Grunt> eventually managed to get it done.
• He lifted the crate with both hands and <Grunt> took one step forward.
• She tightened her grip, <Grunt> forcing the stuck handle to move.
• I pulled as hard as I could, <Grunt> but it barely moved, so I reset my stance and <Grunt> tried again.
• He dragged the bag across the floor, <Grunt> stopping only to catch his breath before <Grunt> pulling it the last few meters.
• The door refused to open at first, so she leaned into it, <Grunt> shoved with her shoulder, and <Grunt> finally forced it loose.

A sudden intake of breath from surprise or shock.

• <Gasp> I didn't see that coming.
• <Gasp> What was that?
• No way. <Gasp>
• I turned the corner and suddenly realized <Gasp> something was wrong.
• She opened the envelope and <Gasp> stared at the result in silence.
• He looked over the edge and <Gasp> stepped back immediately.
• I thought the room was empty, but <Gasp> someone moved in the shadows, and I froze before saying anything.
• She checked the final number twice, <Gasp> unable to believe it, then <Gasp> looked up at everyone waiting for her reaction.
• The sound came from behind the door. <Gasp> I stopped mid-sentence, then <Gasp> heard it again even louder.

A low sound expressing discomfort, frustration, or pain.

• <Groan> Not again.
• <Groan> This is going to take forever.
• I can't believe this. <Groan>
• I looked at the problem again and <Groan> realized I had to start all over.
• He saw the loading bar reset and <Groan> leaned back in his chair.
• She checked the schedule and <Groan> noticed the meeting had moved earlier.
• I opened the file, <Groan> saw the formatting was broken, and then <Groan> realized the backup had the same issue.
• Ow! <Groan> I accidentally hit my thumb with the hammer, <Groan> and it really hurt.
• She reached the end of the instructions, <Groan> noticed a missing step, and <Groan> had to go back through everything from the beginning.

A preparatory sound to get attention or while speaking.

• <Clearing the throat> I just wanted to say something.
• <Clearing the throat> Let me try again.
• Excuse me. <Clearing the throat>
• I paused for a moment, then <Clearing the throat> cleared my throat before continuing.
• She stepped closer to the microphone and <Clearing the throat> prepared to speak.
• He glanced around the room, <Clearing the throat> waiting until everyone looked his way.
• I started too quietly, <Clearing the throat> stopped myself, then <Clearing the throat> began again in a clearer voice.
• She waited for the side conversation to fade, <Clearing the throat> drew a breath, and <Clearing the throat> continued with the announcement.
• He stood at the front of the room, <Clearing the throat> trying to get everyone's attention, then <Clearing the throat> repeated the first sentence more firmly.

A sharp expulsion of air to clear the airways or fill an awkward silence.

• <Cough> Sorry about that.
• <Cough> Excuse me.
• One second. <Cough>
• I was about to continue speaking when <Cough> I was interrupted mid-sentence.
• She covered her mouth and <Cough> stepped away from the table.
• He tried to answer, but <Cough> had to pause before finishing.
• I began explaining the next step, <Cough> stopped suddenly, and <Cough> needed a moment before I could keep talking.
• She was halfway through the sentence when <Cough> her voice broke, so she turned aside and <Cough> apologized quietly.
• He reached for the glass of water, <Cough> tried to speak again, and <Cough> paused until the irritation passed.

Quiet, indistinct speech indicating uncertainty or acknowledgement.

• <Mumble> …okay.
• <Mumble> I guess so.
• Maybe. <Mumble>
• I looked at the result and <Mumble> said something under my breath.
• He glanced at the instructions and <Mumble> gave a quiet response.
• She nodded slightly, <Mumble> not sounding completely convinced.
• I asked whether the plan made sense, and <Mumble> he answered too quietly, then <Mumble> repeated it without much confidence.
• She looked down at the notes, <Mumble> said something I could barely hear, and <Mumble> avoided making eye contact.
• He stared at the screen for a moment, <Mumble> muttered a response, then <Mumble> seemed to reconsider what he had just said.

A filler "uuh/umm" used while thinking or searching for words.

• <Hesitation sound> I'm not sure.
• So, <Hesitation sound> I was thinking…
• Maybe we could… <Hesitation sound>
• I tried to explain it clearly, but <Hesitation sound> kept searching for the right words.
• She looked at the options and <Hesitation sound> took a moment before answering.
• He started the sentence, <Hesitation sound> paused, and then changed direction.
• I wanted to give a simple answer, <Hesitation sound> but the details were complicated, so <Hesitation sound> I had to think through it again.
• She began with one idea, <Hesitation sound> stopped halfway through, and <Hesitation sound> tried to phrase it in a way that made sense.
• He looked from one document to the other, <Hesitation sound> weighing the difference, then <Hesitation sound> finally chose the safer option.

A sudden, involuntary sound from the diaphragm.

• <Hiccup> Sorry, where was I?
• I'm fine— <Hiccup> just a hiccup.
• I tried to keep explaining, but <Hiccup> it interrupted me right in the middle.
• Wait, give me a second, <Hiccup> I keep getting these for some reason.
• I was about to answer confidently, but <Hiccup> was stopped mid-word, and that <Hiccup> made me forget what I was saying.
• No, I'm listening, I promise, but <Hiccup> these hiccups keep catching me off guard, and <Hiccup> I might need a moment before I continue.

A sound made when air escapes from the stomach, e.g. after overeating or drinking fizzy drinks.

• <Burp> Excuse me.
• I drank that too fast. <Burp>
• Sorry, <Burp> that soda hit me harder than expected.
• I was about to make a serious point, <Burp> before you so rudely interrupted me.
• Hey man <Burp> you have to try this. It's the best <Burp> soda I've ever had!
• That fizzy drink was a mistake, because it <Burp> seriously upset my stomach. <Burp> My apologies.

Indicating amusement, but can also be nervous, sarcastic, or taunting.

• <Short laugh> That was good.
• Okay, that got me. <Short laugh>
• I know I shouldn't laugh <Short laugh>, but that was perfectly timed.
• You said it so seriously <Short laugh> I couldn't help it.
• I tried to stay professional, but <Short laugh> did you see what happened? And you made the whole situation feel even more ridiculous <Short laugh>.
• No, keep going, I'm listening, but <Short laugh> that line caught me off guard, and <Short laugh> I need one second before I can answer properly.

A hysterical laugh. Indicating amusement, but can also be nervous, sarcastic, or taunting.

• <Long laugh> I can't breathe.
• That's too much. <Long laugh>
• I thought I was done laughing, but <Long laugh> it started all over again.
• No, don't repeat it, <Long laugh> I'm already losing it.
• I was fine until you made that face, <Long laugh> then I completely broke, and <Long laugh> I couldn't get a full sentence out.
• He could not believe it either, and <Long laugh> he started laughing so hard that he had to sit down.

A light, playful laugh. Can be in response to something mildly amusing, as a social cue, or associated with nervousness or embarrassment.

• <Giggle> That's cute.
• Stop it. <Giggle>
• You caught me off guard. <Giggle> I wasn't ready for that.
• I'm not laughing at you. <Giggle> It just sounded funny.
• I was trying to say thank you normally, but <Giggle> I got embarrassed, and then <Giggle> I had to look away.
• No, it's sweet, really. <Giggle> I just didn't expect you to say it like that, and <Giggle> now I don't know how to respond.

A smothered or half-suppressed, sly, smug, or knowing laugh, often at someone else's expense.

• <Snicker> Sure you did.
• Nice excuse. <Snicker>
• You looked so confident a second ago. <Snicker> What happened?
• I'm not saying I warned you. <Snicker> But I did warn you.
• No, no, keep explaining. <Snicker> I want to hear how this is still somehow part of your plan. <Snicker>
• You told everyone it would be easy, remember? <Snicker> And now the whole thing is upside down. <Snicker> I'm just enjoying the timing.

A low sound expressing pain, weakness, discomfort, or exhaustion.

• <Moan> That hurts.
• I'm exhausted. <Moan>
• Please tell me we're almost done. <Moan> I need a break.
• I can keep going, but <Moan> everything aches right now.
• I thought I could stand up normally, but <Moan> my back really disagreed, and then I had to sit down <Moan> again.
• I know we only have one more round, but <Moan> my legs are done, and I <Moan> don't think I can make that sound convincing.

A soft cry expressing fear, pain, or vulnerability.

• <Whimper> Please don't.
• I'm scared. <Whimper>
• Can we stop for a second? <Whimper> I don't like this.
• I know it's probably fine, but <Whimper> I'm really not ready.
• I heard something move in the dark. <Whimper> I don't want to look. <Whimper> Please stay close.
• I tried to say I was okay, but <Whimper> my voice gave me away, and <Whimper> I just wanted someone to stay with me.

A cry representing sadness, grief, joy, or other strong emotions.

• <Cry> I miss them.
• That means a lot. <Cry>
• I'm happy, I promise. <Cry> I just didn't expect this.
• I tried to hold it together, but <Cry> this letter got to me.
• I thought I was ready to talk about it. <Cry> But the moment I started, <Cry> I couldn't stop the tears.
• I don't even know if I'm sad or relieved. <Cry> It all came out at once, and <Cry> I need a moment before I can keep talking.

Short, sharp intakes of breath, muted sounds, or crying/sniffles breaking up speech.

• <Sob> I can't do this.
• Please don't leave. <Sob>
• I'm sorry. <Sob> I'm trying to calm down.
• I heard what you said, but <Sob> I can't answer properly right now.
• I wanted to explain what happened. <Sob> But every time I tried, <Sob> the words kept breaking apart.
• No, I understand. <Sob> It just hurts too much to say out loud, and <Sob> I don't trust my voice not to fall apart.

A loud cry expressing extreme fear, excitement, surprise, or shock.

• <Scream> Look out!
• What is that?! <Scream>
• Don't touch it! <Scream> I think it's alive.
• I opened the closet and <Scream> something moved inside.
• I was relieved to be alone in the room at last. Suddenly a shadow moved along the wall. <Scream> My heart skipped a beat.
• The car came around the corner too fast. <Scream> I shouted before I could think, and could hear the driver as well <Scream>.

A high-pitched scream expressing intense fear or pain.

• <Shriek> Get it away!
• Ow, that hurt! <Shriek>
• There's a spider on my sleeve! <Shriek> Get it off!
• I touched the hot pan by accident. <Shriek> I need cold water.
• I stepped barefoot onto something sharp. <Shriek> I grabbed the counter, and <Shriek> I couldn't even look down at first.
• Something dropped from the ceiling right next to me. <Shriek> I backed into the wall, and <Shriek> my voice went higher than I expected.

A prolonged high-pitched cry, often of deep grief or pain.

• <Wail> No, no, no!
• Why did this happen? <Wail>
• I can't believe they're gone. <Wail> I don't know what to do.
• It hurts so much. <Wail> I can't stand it.
• I tried to stay quiet. <Wail> But the grief came out all at once, and <Wail> I couldn't pull myself back together.
• The pain hit before I could brace for it. <Wail> I cried out, and it just kept going because I couldn't make it stop.

A short, sharp cry of sudden pain or surprise.

• <Yelp> Ow!
• Watch it! <Yelp>
• I hit my knee on the table. <Yelp> That really hurt.
• Something snapped shut on my finger. <Yelp> I need a second.
• I stepped on the corner of the plug. <Yelp> I jumped back, and <Yelp> now I'm wide awake.
• The crash came out of nowhere. <Yelp> I knocked the chair over, and <Yelp> for a second I thought something had fallen on me.

A long exhalation expressing relief, frustration, sadness, or fatigue.

• <Sigh> Finally.
• Not this again. <Sigh>
• I'm relieved. <Sigh> But I'm also completely exhausted.
• I saw the new deadline. <Sigh> I don't even know what to say.
• I thought we were finished. <Sigh> Then another issue appeared, and <Sigh> I had to force myself to keep going.
• The call finally ended. <Sigh> I let out everything I had been holding in, and <Sigh> realized how tense I was.

An involuntary reflex indicating tiredness or boredom.

• <Yawn> I'm tired.
• I need sleep. <Yawn>
• Sorry. <Yawn> I stayed up way too late last night.
• This is interesting, but <Yawn> I'm struggling to stay awake.
• I tried to focus on the meeting. <Yawn> But I kept fading out, and <Yawn> the same slide had been up forever.
• I promise I'm not bored with you. <Yawn> It's just been a long day, and <Yawn> my body is clearly giving up.

A few heavy breaths. Shortness of breath as from intense physical activity or respiratory distress.

• <Heavy breathing> Give me a second.
• Too many stairs. <Heavy breathing>
• I ran the whole way here. <Heavy breathing> I need a moment.
• I'm okay. <Heavy breathing> I just can't catch my breath yet.
• I sprinted across the parking lot. <Heavy breathing> I barely made it in time, and <Heavy breathing> I need a second before I talk.
• No, I'm not ignoring you. <Heavy breathing> I'm just out of breath, and <Heavy breathing> I need a few seconds before I can answer.

An involuntary reflex indicating choking on something in the throat.

• <Choke> Something's stuck.
• I swallowed wrong. <Choke>
• Wait. <Choke> I need some water.
• I tried to answer while eating. <Choke> Bad idea.
• I laughed at the worst possible moment. <Choke> I'm okay, I'm okay. <Choke> Just give me a second.
• I took too big a bite. <Choke> It caught in my throat, and <Choke> I couldn't speak until I got some air back.

A raspy, rattling breathing sound often associated with death or severe illness.

• <Death rattle> Help <Death rattle> me.
• I can't… <Death rattle>
• I'm trying to breathe. <Death rattle> It's not working.
• Stay… <Death rattle> don't go… <Death rattle>
• I can still hear you. <Death rattle> I'm trying to answer, but <Death rattle> every breath catches before the words come out.
• Please… stay close. <Death rattle> I'm still here, but <Death rattle> I don't think I can keep talking much longer.

A final exhalation of breath before death.

• My time has come. <Final breath>
• It's quiet now. <Final breath>
• She exhaled once. <Final breath> Then everything went still.
• I'm trying to breathe. <Death rattle> It hurts… <Final breath>
• The rattling sound came again. <Death rattle> Then it faded into one last breath <Final breath> and I couldn't say anything after that.
• Please don't go… <Death rattle> Stay with me <Death rattle> until the end. <Final breath>

A loud shout used to rally troops in battle or intimidate opponents.

• <Battle Cry> Charge!
• For the kingdom! <Battle Cry>
• Come on! <Battle Cry> Let them hear us before we hit the line.
• I raised my weapon. <Battle Cry> Everyone forward!
• They hesitated for a moment. <Battle Cry> So I shouted with everything I had, and <Battle Cry> the whole group surged forward.
• We were outnumbered, but <Battle Cry> I wanted them scared before the clash, and <Battle Cry> the cry echoed across the field.

A short, sharp "hup" exclamation accompanying a jump or leap, often in combat or athletic contexts.

• And <Jump sound> there we go.
• Here goes. <Jump sound>
• Almost there. <Jump sound> Just one jump left.
• I bent my knees and pushed off as hard as I could. <Jump sound>
• The ledge was higher than I expected. <Jump sound> I jumped, grabbed the edge, and <Jump sound> pulled myself up with one last push.
• I saw the gap too late. <Jump sound> I launched myself anyway, and barely landed on the other side.

A short, sharp sound used to request silence or quiet others.

• <Shush> Be quiet.
• Not so loud. <Shush>
• I heard footsteps outside. <Shush> Keep your voice down.
• Wait. <Shush> I think someone is in the hallway.
• The baby finally fell asleep. <Shush> I warned everyone softly, and pointed toward the nursery door.
• We were hiding behind the curtain. <Shush> I signaled for silence, and <Shush> everyone stopped moving at once.