Translation guide
How to express the action of spitting in Japanese, including spitting out food, spitting on the ground, and related phrases.
Expelling food, liquid, or an object from the mouth, often because it's unpleasant or unwanted.
General verb for spitting something out. Can be used for food, liquid, or even words/emotions.
I spat out the food because it tasted bad.
He spat out the water in his mouth.
Can mean to spit, vomit, or emit. Context clarifies. Often used for spitting out saliva or phlegm.
Can also mean 'to vomit', so context is important.
Don't spit on the street.
Onomatopoeic expression for spitting something out with a 'ptooey' sound. Emphasizes the action.
He spat out the seeds with a 'ptooey'.
Spitting saliva or phlegm onto the ground, often as a rude or casual act.
Describing very light rain or snow, often starting or stopping.
Expressing that someone looks exactly like someone else.
The verb 吐く (はく) can mean both 'to spit' and 'to vomit'. Use 吐き出す (はきだす) or specify 唾 (つば) for clarity when referring to spitting saliva.
I felt nauseous and vomited.
I spat.
彼女は母親にそっくりだ。
She is the spitting image of her mother.