How to say "tears" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

涙なみだJLPT N3approx.Common
nounThe general word for tears: the drops that fall when you cry, whether from sadness, joy, or any strong feeling. It also covers tears as a bodily secretion.
２粒つぶの涙なみだが彼女かのじょのほおを流れ落ながれおちた。↗
Two tears fell down her cheeks.
感涙かんるいCommon
noun, suru verb, intransitive verbTears shed from being deeply moved, or tears of gratitude; it names the cause of the tears, so it is not the word for weeping from sadness or pain.
露つゆJLPT N1approx.Common
nounPrimarily means dew; tears only in a figurative sense, drops of tears likened to dew. For actual tears this is seldom the word you want — use 涙.

Use 涙 for tears in general — the drops themselves and crying from any emotion; 感涙 only for tears of being deeply moved or of gratitude; 露 is really 'dew', with tears only as a figurative sense.

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

Japanese equivalents

涙なみだtear
感涙かんるいtears (from being deeply moved)
涙液るいえきlacrimal fluid
露つゆtears

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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