Japanese Conversation · Level 74
75 words
Japanese word
虫歯
Pronunciation
Romajimushiba
Meaning
- nouncavity
Example
冷たい水を飲むと、虫歯が痛みます。tsume ta i mizu o no mu to mushi ba ga ita mi ma su
My cavity hurts when I drink cold water.
More examples
歯医者で虫歯を治療してもらいました。ha i sha de mushi ba o chi ryō shi te mo ra i ma shi ta
I had my cavity treated at the dentist.
Core concept
Describes a hole or weakened area in a tooth formed when decay wears it away.
Common phrases
虫歯になるmushi ba ni na ru
get a cavity
虫歯を治すmushi ba o nao su
treat a cavity
虫歯を予防するmushi ba o yo bō su ru
prevent tooth decay
Similar words
齲歯ushi: A tooth affected by decay, including the damaged area formed in it.
Definition in Japanese
歯が細菌などの作用で溶け、穴ができた状態。ha ga sai kin na do no sa yō de to ke ana ga de ki ta jō tai
Word origin
虫歯 (mushiba) combines 虫 (mushi, "insect") and 歯 (ha, "tooth"), reflecting the old belief that a worm caused a decayed tooth.
Usage tips
- In everyday English, cavity often names the hole found by a dentist, whereas tooth decay names the wider damaging process.
Other meanings
- tooth decaynoun