Translation guide
The English word 'lather' can refer to foam from soap, a state of agitation, or the act of creating foam. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Describing the white bubbles produced when mixing soap with water.
The most common word for foam, bubbles, or lather. Can be used for soap lather, beer foam, etc.
シャンプーがよく泡立つ。
The shampoo lathers well.
ひげを剃る前に、顔に泡をのせてください。
Please apply lather to your face before shaving.
Specifically 'soap lather'. Useful when you want to be clear it's from soap.
石鹸の泡で手を洗う。
Wash your hands with soap lather.
Refers to the quality or amount of lather produced. Often used in product descriptions.
この洗顔料は泡立ちが良い。
This facial cleanser produces a good lather.
Describing someone who is in a flustered, worked-up state.
Means 'to be excited/agitated'. A general term for being worked up.
The phrase '泡を食う' (あわをくう) literally means 'to eat foam', but idiomatically means to be flustered or in a panic. It's a set phrase.
彼は試合の前に興奮して泡を食っていた。
He was in a lather before the game.
To be flustered and in a panic. Stronger than just being excited.
彼女は遅刻しそうで慌てふためいていた。
She was in a lather about being late.
An idiomatic expression meaning to be flustered or thrown into a panic. Literally 'eat foam'.
The action of creating lather or covering something with lather.
Transitive verb meaning 'to make lather' or 'to whip into a foam'. Used for soap, cream, etc.
石鹸を泡立ててから顔を洗ってください。
Please lather the soap before washing your face.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to foam' or 'to lather'. Describes the state of producing foam.
Literally 'to apply foam'. Used when putting lather onto something.
ブラシに泡を付けてひげを剃る。
Apply lather to the brush and shave.
The English idiom 'in a lather' (agitated) does not translate directly. Use expressions like 興奮している or 慌てふためく instead of 泡の中にいる.
泡立てる is transitive (you make something lather), while 泡立つ is intransitive (something lathers). For example, 石鹸を泡立てる (lather the soap) vs 石鹸が泡立つ (the soap lathers).
突然の質問に泡を食った。
I was in a lather at the sudden question.
この石鹸はよく泡立つ。
This soap lathers well.