Japanese word

鼻

Pronunciation

Romajihana

Meaning

  • nounnose

Example

鼻をかみます。hana o ka mi ma su

I blow my nose.

Illustration for 鼻 (nose)

More examples

鼻が赤いです。hana ga aka i de su

My nose is red.

風邪をひくと、鼻が詰まって息がしにくくなります。kaze o hi ku to hana ga tsu ma tte iki ga shi ni ku ku na ri ma su

When I catch a cold, my nose gets stuffy and it becomes hard to breathe.

Core concept

A projecting facial feature that draws air in and serves as the body's main route for smelling.

Common phrases

  • 鼻をかむhana o ka mu

    blow one's nose

  • 鼻が詰まるhana ga tsu ma ru

    have a stuffy nose

  • 鼻がかゆいhana ga ka yu i

    have an itchy nose

Definition in Japanese

顔から前方に突き出し、空気を取り入れたり、においを感じ取ったりする器官。kao ka ra zen pō ni tsu ki da shi kū ki o to ri i re ta ri ni o i o kan ji to tta ri su ru ki kan

Word origin

The native Japanese word 鼻 (hana, "nose") has an Old Japanese form written 鼻 (pana, "nose"), and the initial sound later changed to h.

Usage tips

  • The expression 鼻が利く (hana ga kiku) means having a keen sense of smell and can also describe noticing a promising opportunity.

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