How to say "saliva" in Japanese

• 唾つばJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for saliva, spit, or spittle. As the common word, it is usually what you want in ordinary speech, whether for the saliva in the mouth or for spitting.
  吐はいた唾つばは飲のめぬ。↗

  A word, once out, flies everywhere.
• 唾液だえき
  nounSaliva as a substance, especially in medical or scientific contexts; it can also mean sputum. Less common than 唾, it is not the everyday word for spit.
  唾液だえきが多おおく出でます。↗

  My mouth forms a lot of saliva.
• 生唾なまつば
  nounSaliva in one's mouth, as opposed to saliva in general. It is less common than 唾 and not the default word; choose it when you specifically mean the saliva present in the mouth.
• 津液しんえき
  nounA less common synonym of 唾 with the same glosses — saliva, spit, spittle. Seldom the word you want for 'saliva'; for ordinary use 唾, and for technical contexts 唾液, are the natural choices.

For everyday saliva or spitting use 唾; for saliva as a substance in medical or scientific contexts use 唾液; 生唾 points to the saliva in one's mouth; 津液 is a less common synonym seldom needed.

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

• 唾つばsaliva
• 唾液だえきsaliva
• 生唾なまつばsaliva (in one's mouth)
• 津液しんえきsaliva