Translation guide
The English word 'tooth' refers to the hard structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing. In Japanese, the most common word is 歯 (は). This guide covers how to talk about teeth in various contexts, including anatomy, dental care, idioms, and related expressions.
歯
tooth
Referring to a tooth or teeth in the mouth.
The general word for 'tooth' or 'teeth'. Japanese does not usually distinguish singular and plural.
歯を磨く。
I brush my teeth.
歯が痛い。
My tooth hurts.
A formal or technical term for 'tooth', often used in medical or literary contexts.
歯牙の治療。
Dental treatment.
Referring to specific kinds of teeth, such as incisors, canines, or molars.
Front teeth, incisors.
前歯で噛む。
Bite with your front teeth.
Canine tooth, eyetooth.
犬歯が鋭い。
The canine teeth are sharp.
Back teeth, molars.
Molar (technical term).
臼歯の虫歯。
A cavity in a molar.
Wisdom tooth (literally 'unknown to parents').
Distinguishing between deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth.
Baby tooth, milk tooth.
子供の乳歯が抜けた。
The child's baby tooth fell out.
Permanent tooth.
Talking about cavities, toothaches, brushing, and dental visits.
Cavity, tooth decay (literally 'bug tooth').
虫歯ができた。
I got a cavity.
To brush one's teeth.
毎日歯を磨きます。
I brush my teeth every day.
Dentist (literally 'tooth doctor').
Toothache (more formal/medical).
Expressions using 'tooth' metaphorically, such as 'tooth and nail' or 'to have a sweet tooth'.
A person with a sweet tooth (literally 'sweet party/faction').
私は甘党です。
I have a sweet tooth.
To be unable to compete with; to be no match for (literally 'teeth don't stand up').
Outspoken, blunt (literally 'not dressing the teeth with clothes').
彼は歯に衣着せぬ物言いをする。
He speaks bluntly.
Referring to the tooth of a comb, saw, gear, etc.
Japanese does not usually mark plural. '歯' can mean 'tooth' or 'teeth' depending on context. If you need to specify one tooth, you can say '一本の歯' (いっぽんのは).
Teeth are counted using the counter '本' (ほん): 一本 (いっぽん), 二本 (にほん), 三本 (さんぼん), etc.
Please chew well with your back teeth.
親知らずを抜いた。
I had my wisdom tooth pulled.
永久歯が生えてきた。
A permanent tooth has come in.
Go to the dentist.
I'm suffering from a toothache.
I'm no match for him.
To grit one's teeth; to endure pain or hardship.
歯を食いしばって頑張る。
Grit your teeth and do your best.