Japanese Conversation · Level 83
60 words
Japanese word
くわえる
Pronunciation
Romajikuwaeru
Meaning
- verbhold in one's mouth
Example
犬が骨をくわえます。inu ga hone o ku wa e ma su
The dog holds a bone in its mouth.
More examples
猫が小さな布をくわえて運びます。neko ga chii sa na nuno o ku wa e te hako bi ma su
The cat carries a small piece of cloth in its mouth.
Core concept
Refers to keeping an object between the lips or teeth rather than holding it with the hands.
Common phrases
骨をくわえるhone o ku wa e ru
hold a bone in one's mouth
口にくわえるkuchi ni ku wa e ru
hold in one's mouth
Similar words
含むfukumu: To keep food, liquid, or another thing inside the mouth.
Definition in Japanese
物を口に入れ、歯や唇で支えること。mono o kuchi ni i re ha ya kuchibiru de sasa e ru ko to
Word origin
The native Japanese verb 咥える (kuwaeru, "hold in the mouth") is also written 銜える (kuwaeru), and its historical derivation is uncertain.
Usage tips
- The homophone 加える (kuwaeru, "add") has a different meaning, so context or kanji distinguishes holding something in the mouth from adding something.
Related words
- くわえ方kuwaekataway to hold in one's mouthnoun