Translation guide
The English word "bite" covers many actions and meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical categories for learners, from physically biting to idiomatic expressions.
The physical action of using teeth to cut, grip, or wound something.
General verb for biting, chewing, or gnawing. Can be used for people, animals, or objects.
The dog bit my hand.
彼は唇を噛んだ。
He bit his lip.
To bite into or sink one's teeth into. Emphasizes the action of latching on, often used for animals or aggressive biting.
その犬は突然私に噛み付いた。
The dog suddenly bit me (and held on).
To bite into, often used for fish taking bait or a person latching onto an idea. More metaphorical or specific.
魚が餌に食い付いた。
The fish bit the bait.
When an insect or snake pierces the skin, often with venom.
Used for insects (mosquitoes, bees) and sometimes snakes. Note: this verb also means 'to stab'.
蚊に刺された。
I got bitten by a mosquito.
蜂に刺されないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to get stung by a bee.
Sometimes used for snakes or spiders that actually bite with fangs, but 刺す is more common for insects.
蛇に噛まれた。
I was bitten by a snake.
When a fish takes the hook, or metaphorically when someone falls for a trick or offer.
Literally 'bite the bait'. Used for fish and figuratively for people taking an offer or falling for a trick.
魚がなかなか餌に食いつかない。
The fish aren't biting.
彼はその話に食いついた。
He bit on that story (fell for it / showed interest).
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be caught' (fish). Often used in fishing contexts instead of 'bite'.
今日はよく釣れる。
The fish are biting well today.
To endure or accept a difficult situation, often expressed with 'bite the bullet'.
To endure, bear, or put up with something. The most common way to express 'biting the bullet'.
痛いけど、我慢するしかない。
It hurts, but I just have to bite the bullet.
To prepare oneself mentally, to resolve to do something difficult. Closer to 'bite the bullet' in terms of determination.
彼は覚悟を決めて手術を受けた。
He bit the bullet and underwent surgery.
Describing a sharp, pungent, or spicy sensation, or cold wind that 'bites'.
Describes a sharp, spicy, or pungent taste that stings the tongue. Often used for wasabi, ginger, etc.
このカレーはピリッとして美味しい。
This curry has a nice bite to it.
Noun meaning 'spiciness' or 'pungency'. Can be used to describe the 'bite' of food.
このソースは辛みが強い。
This sauce has a strong bite.
Literally 'cold that cuts the body'. Used for a biting cold wind.
外は身を切るような寒さだ。
There's a biting cold outside.
When a policy, sanction, or criticism starts to have a noticeable effect.
To show effect, to start working. Commonly used for measures or policies.
新しい政策の効果が出始めた。
The new policy is starting to bite.
To have an impact, to affect. Similar to 効果が出る but broader.
増税の影響が家計に出ている。
The tax hike is biting into household budgets.
To respond angrily or sharply to someone, often with 'bite back' or 'bite someone's head off'.
To say something in a biting manner, to snap at someone verbally.
彼女は私に噛み付くように「関係ないでしょ」と言った。
She bit back, 'It's none of your business.'
To be harsh or sharp with someone, to lash out verbally.
上司にきつく当たられた。
My boss bit my head off.
A small mouthful or a quick snack, as in 'a bite to eat'.
English uses 'bite' for both teeth and insect stings, but Japanese distinguishes them. Use 刺す (さす) for mosquitoes, bees, etc. Using 噛む for a mosquito bite sounds like the mosquito chewed on you.
✕ 蚊に噛まれた → ○ 蚊に刺された
Don't say 'bitten by a mosquito' with 噛む; use 刺す.
噛む (かむ) is for biting with teeth (dogs, snakes, people). 刺す (さす) is for piercing with a sharp point (insects, needles, thorns). For snakes, both can be used depending on the image: 噛む for a bite that clamps, 刺す for fangs injecting venom.
爪を噛んじゃダメだよ。
Don't bite your nails.
舌を噛んだ。
I bit my tongue.
今日は魚が全然釣れない。
The fish aren't biting today.
Often expressed as 'not catching' rather than 'not biting'.