Translation guide
To sever or remove something by biting. In Japanese, this is typically expressed with compound verbs combining 噛む (to bite) with a cutting or removing verb, or with specific verbs for biting off.
To use teeth to cut or separate a part from a whole.
The most common and general verb for biting off. Combines 噛む (bite) and 切る (cut).
糸を噛み切った。
I bit off the thread.
パンの耳を噛み切る。
I bite off the crust of the bread.
To bite off forcefully, often used for tearing off a piece with teeth. More violent or vigorous than 噛み切る.
犬が肉を食いちぎった。
The dog bit off a chunk of meat.
Literally 'bite and take', used when the focus is on removing a piece by biting.
彼はリンゴを一口噛み取った。
He bit off a mouthful of the apple.
To take on a task that is too big or difficult.
A natural way to express the idea: 'to take on something one cannot handle'. Not a direct translation of the idiom.
彼は手に負えない仕事を引き受けてしまった。
He bit off more than he could chew with that job.
Literally 'to do something beyond one's ability'. A clear and common way to express the concept.
自分の能力以上のことをしようとして失敗した。
I tried to bite off more than I could chew and failed.
A more idiomatic phrase meaning 'to do something beyond one's station/ability'. Slightly literary.
身の程知らずのことをして、結局何もできなかった。
He bit off more than he could chew and ended up accomplishing nothing.
To respond to someone angrily or sharply.
To yell at someone angrily. Captures the aggressive tone of the idiom.
彼は私に怒鳴りつけた。
He bit my head off.
To nag or scold sharply. More colloquial.
ちょっと聞いただけで、彼女はガミガミ言った。
I just asked a question and she bit my head off.
English idioms like 'bite off more than one can chew' or 'bite someone's head off' do not translate literally into Japanese. Use the equivalent expressions provided.