Translation guide
The English word 'saliva' refers to the watery fluid in the mouth. In Japanese, the most common and natural word is 唾液 (daeki), but in casual or everyday contexts, つば (tsuba) is often used. There are also more specific or colloquial terms.
The neutral, standard word for saliva, used in medical, scientific, and everyday contexts.
The standard, neutral term for saliva. Used in medical, scientific, and formal contexts, but also in everyday speech.
唾液の分泌が減ると口が渇きます。
When saliva secretion decreases, your mouth gets dry.
この薬は唾液の量を増やします。
This medicine increases the amount of saliva.
A more casual, everyday word for saliva or spit. Often used in phrases like 'to spit' or when talking about saliva in a non-scientific way.
つばを吐くな。
Don't spit.
緊張してつばが出ない。
I'm so nervous I can't produce saliva.
A slightly more formal or literary term for saliva, sometimes used in set phrases. Less common in daily conversation.
唾を飲み込む。
To swallow one's saliva.
When referring to saliva that is spat out or the act of spitting, Japanese often uses different words.
The most common word for spit or spittle. Used when talking about spitting or the saliva that is expelled.
道につばを吐くのはやめてください。
Please don't spit on the street.
Same as つば, but written with the kanji. Often used in compounds or more formal writing.
唾を吐く行為はマナー違反です。
Spitting is a breach of etiquette.
When saliva drips or flows out, especially in sleep or due to desire, specific words are used.
The standard word for drool or slobber. Used for saliva that drips from the mouth, often while sleeping or in babies.
赤ちゃんがよだれを垂らしている。
The baby is drooling.
寝ている間によだれが出た。
I drooled while sleeping.
The kanji for よだれ, used in literary or formal contexts. Rare in everyday writing.
唾液 (daeki) is the formal, medical term for saliva. つば (tsuba) is casual and often refers to spit or the act of spitting. よだれ (yodare) specifically means drool, saliva that flows out unintentionally. Use 唾液 in scientific contexts, つば in everyday talk about spitting, and よだれ for drooling.
In English, 'saliva' is a neutral word, but directly translating it to 唾液 in casual conversation can sound overly clinical. Use つば or よだれ depending on the situation.
To wait with drool hanging (idiomatic: to eagerly await).