Japanese word

噛み付く

Pronunciation

Romajikamitsuku

Meaning

  • verbbite

Example

子犬が飼い主の手に噛み付きます。ko inu ga ka i nushi no te ni ka mi tsu ki ma su

The puppy bites its owner's hand.

Illustration for 噛み付く (bite)

More examples

興奮した犬は、飼い主にも噛み付きます。kō fun shi ta inu wa ka i nushi ni mo ka mi tsu ki ma su

An excited dog may snap at its owner too.

Core concept

It describes using the teeth to catch onto a target, especially in a forceful or hostile action.

Common phrases

  • 飼い主に噛み付くka i nushi ni ka mi tsu ku

    snap at its owner

  • 腕に噛み付くude ni ka mi tsu ku

    bite an arm

Similar words

噛むkamu: To use the teeth on something for cutting, holding, or chewing.
食らいつくkuraitsuku: To seize something with the teeth and keep biting it firmly.
かじるkajiru: To nibble or gnaw at something by taking small bites.

Definition in Japanese

相手に歯を立て、食い付くようにかむこと。ai te ni ha o ta te ku i tsu ku yō ni ka mu ko to

Word origin

噛み付く (kamitsuku) is formed from 噛む (kamu, "to bite") and 付く (tsuku, "to attach"), so its form suggests attaching to something by biting it.

Usage tips

  • The English phrase snap at covers both a quick biting motion and an angry verbal response, while the Japanese verb in this sense refers to physical biting.

Other meanings

  • snap atverb

Related words

  • 噛み付き方kamitsukikataway of bitingnoun

Word lists with this word