How to say "bite" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 噛むかむgodan verb, transitive verbThe basic verb for the act of biting with the teeth — a dog bites, you bite into food or bite your nails. For the plain action 'to bite', this is the word you want.
- 噛み付くかみつくgodan verb, intransitive verbBiting with aggression: lunging to snap at someone or something, as a startled dog snaps at a reaching hand. The nuance is an attacking, snapping bite rather than a single quiet bite.
- 一口ひとくちnounThe noun 'bite': a mouthful or morsel of food, as in taking a bite of something or offering someone a bite. It is not a verb, so it never names the act of biting itself.
- 刺すさすgodan verb, transitive verbChiefly 'to sting': when an insect 'bites' you, this is the verb to reach for; it is really a stinging word, not one for the bite of a dog or a person.
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbNot a biting action at all: it describes a stinging, smarting sensation, as when the cold 'bites'. Use it for the bite of cold on the skin, not for teeth or animals doing the biting.
For the physical act of biting use 「噛む」, with 「噛み付く」 for an aggressive snap; 一口 is the noun for a bite of food, 「刺す」 covers insect bites and stings, and 「しみる」 is the stinging bite of cold.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 噛むかむto bite
- 噛み付くかみつくto bite (at)
- 一口ひとくちmouthful
- かじるto gnaw
- 噛み締めるかみしめるto chew thoroughly
- 噛み合わせかみあわせocclusion
- 食いつきくいつきbite (in fishing)
- 魚信ぎょしんbite (of a fish on a hook)
- 歯を立てるはをたてるto bite
- 刺し傷さしきずstab wound
- 咬傷こうしょうbite wound
- 噛み傷かみきずbite wound
- 取って食うとってくうto catch and eat
- 一飲みひとのみswallowing in one gulp
- 食うくうto bite
- 刺すさすto sting
- しみるto sting (of a wound, sensitive area, etc.)
- 食いくいbite (in fishing)
- あたりbite (of a fish on a hook)
See also
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