How to say "jaw" in Japanese

• 顎あごJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for the jaw, and it can also mean the chin. Use this for the body part in ordinary contexts such as injuries, shaving, or describing someone's face.
  私は彼かれのあごに１発はつ食くらわしてやった。↗

  I landed him a blow on the chin.
• 顎がく
  nounA less common reading of the same word, also meaning the jaw. In practice you will seldom need to choose it; the common reading above is the word you want for the body part.
• ジョー
  nounA loanword meaning the jaw. It is less common than the native word and is really a marginal way to refer to the body part in ordinary Japanese.
• あごで使うあごでつかう
  expression, godan verbA slang verb expression covering the 'to jaw' sense: to chatter or jabber, that is, to talk idly or at length. Use it only for this verbal sense, never for the body part.

For the body part use 顎（あご）, the common everyday word; 顎（がく） and 「ジョー」 are less common rivals; and 「あごで使う」 is slang only for the verb sense 'to jaw', meaning to chatter.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 顎あごjaw
• 顎がくjaw
• ジョーjaw
• おとがい(lower) jaw
• あごで使うあごでつかうto chatter