Japanese Conversation · Level 123
60 words
Japanese word
唾
Pronunciation
Romajitsuba
Meaning
- nounsaliva
Example
口の中に唾がたまります。kuchi no naka ni tsuba ga ta ma ri ma su
Saliva collects in my mouth.
More examples
緊張すると、唾を何度も飲み込みます。kin chō su ru to tsuba o nan do mo no mi ko mi ma su
When I get nervous, I swallow my saliva repeatedly.
Core concept
Refers to the fluid produced in the mouth that moistens food and helps begin digestion.
Common phrases
唾を吐くtsuba o ha ku
spit
唾を飲み込むtsuba o no mi ko mu
swallow saliva
Similar words
唾液daeki: A formal and medical term for the fluid produced in the mouth.
Definition in Japanese
口の中で作られ、食べ物を湿らせて消化を助ける液体。kuchi no naka de tsuku ra re ta be mono o shime ra se te shō ka o tasu ke ru eki tai
Word origin
The native Japanese noun 唾 (tsuba, "saliva") is an inherited everyday word, while the kanji 唾 is used to represent its meaning.
Usage tips
- In English, saliva is neutral and somewhat medical, while spit is more common and can also mean ejecting saliva or a thin jet of liquid.
Other meanings
- spitnoun
- spittlenoun