Japanese word

うがい

Pronunciation

Romajiugai

Meaning

  • noungargling

Example

外から帰ったらうがいをします。soto ka ra kae tta ra u ga i o shi ma su

I gargle when I get home.

Illustration for うがい (gargling)

More examples

朝食の前にうがいをする習慣があります。chō shoku no mae ni u ga i o su ru shū kan ga a ri ma su

I have a habit of gargling before breakfast.

Core concept

Shows the act of using liquid to wash the inside of the mouth or throat before spitting it out.

Common phrases

  • うがいをするu ga i o su ru

    gargle

Similar words

含嗽gansō: A formal term used in medical writing for washing the mouth or throat with liquid.

Definition in Japanese

口や喉に水などを含み、ゆすいでから吐き出すこと。kuchi ya nodo ni mizu na do o fuku mi yu su i de ka ra ha ki da su ko to

Word origin

The Japanese noun うがい (ugai, "gargling") is traditionally linked to 鵜飼い (ukai, "cormorant fishing"), because gargling resembles a cormorant taking in and releasing water.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, うがい (ugai) refers to gargling as part of a routine after returning home, so it often appears in casual talk about daily habits.

Other meanings

  • rinsing the mouthnoun

Word lists with this word