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.
foam from soap
to form lather
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.
The shampoo lathers well.
Please apply lather to your face before shaving.
Specifically 'soap lather'. Useful when you want to be clear it's from soap.
Wash your hands with soap lather.
Refers to the quality or amount of lather produced. Often used in product descriptions.
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.
He was in a lather before the game.
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.
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.
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).
この洗顔料は泡立ちが良い。
This facial cleanser produces a good lather.
To be flustered and in a panic. Stronger than just being excited.
She was in a lather about being late.
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.
Apply lather to the brush and shave.