Translation guide
The body part inside the neck used for swallowing and speaking. Japanese distinguishes between the front of the neck (nodō) and the internal passage (nodo), with nodo being the most common word for 'throat' in everyday contexts.
Referring to the inside passage of the throat, especially when talking about swallowing, voice, or a sore throat.
The most common word for 'throat' in Japanese. It refers to the internal part of the throat, including the pharynx and larynx. Used for swallowing, voice, and sore throats.
喉が痛い。
I have a sore throat.
喉が渇いた。
I'm thirsty. (lit. My throat is dry.)
喉に魚の骨が刺さった。
A fish bone got stuck in my throat.
Medical or anatomical term for the throat, specifically the pharynx. Used in formal or technical contexts.
咽喉の炎症
inflammation of the throat
Referring to the visible front part of the neck, the external throat area.
Specifically the front of the neck, the area around the throat. Often used when talking about something touching or being near the throat externally.
喉元にナイフを突きつけられた。
A knife was held to my throat.
喉元まで食べ物が出かかっている。
The food is about to come up to my throat. (feeling of nausea)
While primarily internal, 喉 can also refer to the external throat area in some contexts, but 喉元 is more precise for the front of the neck.
喉を掴まれた。
I was grabbed by the throat.
Generally means 'neck', but can be used for the throat area in certain expressions, especially when referring to choking or strangling.
首を絞める
to strangle (someone)
Referring to the throat as the source of voice, especially in singing or speaking.
To purr (like a cat) or to make a throaty sound of satisfaction. Also used figuratively for a singer warming up.
猫が喉を鳴らしている。
The cat is purring.
To have a strong throat/voice; able to sing or speak loudly without strain.
彼は喉が強いから、長時間歌っても平気だ。
He has a strong voice, so he can sing for hours without a problem.
A throaty voice; a voice that sounds strained or comes from the throat rather than the diaphragm.
喉声で歌うと喉を痛めるよ。
If you sing with a throaty voice, you'll hurt your throat.
Describing the sensation of food or drink passing through the throat.
The feeling of food or drink going down the throat. Often used to describe the texture or sensation of swallowing, especially for beverages like beer or noodles.
このビールは喉越しがいい。
This beer goes down smoothly.
冷たいそうめんの喉越しがたまらない。
The sensation of cold somen noodles sliding down the throat is irresistible.
To pass through the throat; to be able to swallow. Often used in negative form when someone has no appetite or difficulty swallowing.
病気で喉を通らない。
I can't swallow anything because I'm sick.
When something is lodged in the throat or causing choking.
To choke on something; to have something stuck in the throat.
餅を喉に詰まらせて窒息しそうになった。
I almost choked on a piece of mochi.
To choke (intransitive); to have one's throat blocked.
急に喉を詰まらせて苦しみ出した。
Suddenly he started choking and struggling.
Metaphorical use of 'throat' to describe a narrow entrance or critical point.
喉 (nodo) refers specifically to the throat, both internally and externally, while 首 (kubi) means 'neck' in general. Use 喉 for sore throats, swallowing, and voice. Use 首 for the neck as a body part (e.g., neck pain, necklace). However, in expressions like 'to strangle', 首を絞める is used because the action involves the whole neck.
While 喉 is the most common translation, it's not used for the throat of an animal in the same way as English. For example, 'cut the throat of a chicken' is usually 鶏の首を切る (niwatori no kubi o kiru), not 喉を切る. 喉 is more for the internal passage.
喉が痛いです。
I have a sore throat.
彼は咳払いをした。
He cleared his throat.
Japanese uses the specific action '咳払い' (clearing throat/cough) rather than a phrase with 喉.
言葉が喉につかえた。
The words stuck in my throat.