Translation guide
To eat in small, gentle bites, often used for small animals, light snacking, or showing tentative interest.
Describing the action of taking small, gentle bites, often by animals or people eating lightly.
General verb for gnawing or nibbling, often on something hard or held in the hands. Can be used for animals or people.
Eating a small amount of food casually, often between meals.
Common phrase for having a light snack or nibbling on something. Implies casual, small eating.
Metaphorical use: to show slight interest, or to gradually reduce or affect something.
Literally 'show a little interest'. Used when someone is tentatively interested, like nibbling at an idea.
かじる can sound rough or animal-like. For people eating politely, use 少しずつ食べる or 軽くつまむ instead.
Please nibble with your fork.
リスが木の実をかじっている。
The squirrel is nibbling on a nut.
She nibbled a little bit of the cookie.
Literally 'eat little by little'. A clear, neutral way to describe nibbling without a specific object.
He was nervous and nibbled at his bread.
Specifically for birds pecking or nibbling at food. Not used for people.
The little bird is nibbling at the bread crumbs.
I'm hungry, so let's nibble on something.
She nibbled on some nuts while working.
Very casual way to say 'eat a little'. Can be used for nibbling when the amount is small.
I just nibbled a bit of the cake.
He nibbled at the proposal.
Describes something gradually eating away or nibbling at something, like costs or time.
The fees are nibbling away at the profits.