噛
chew, bite, gnaw
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
- ゴウ
Kun'yomi
- か.む
- か.じる
Meaning
噛 centers on using the teeth to break something down: chewing, biting, or gnawing. All three given meanings are direct actions of the mouth and teeth.
Most common words using 噛
20 of 45- 噛むかむN4
to bite
- 噛み付くかみつくN1
to bite (at); to snap at
- 噛み合うかみあうN1
to mesh (of gears, cogs, etc.); to engage with each other; to meet (of teeth); to occlude
- 噛み締めるかみしめる
to chew thoroughly; to bite (e.g. one's lip)
- 噛み砕くかみくだく
to crunch; to masticate
- 噛み噛みかみかみ
while fumbling one's words; with a stutter
- 噛み付き亀かみつきがめ
snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
- 噛み切るかみきるN1
to bite off; to gnaw through
- 一枚噛むいちまいかむ
to participate in (as a member); to get involved in
- 上噛合わせうわかみあわせ
overbite
- 口噛み酒くちかみざけ
sake made from rice or other cereal which is chewed before fermentation
- 噛ますかます
to force someone to clamp with their teeth; to force into someone's mouth (e.g. a gag)
- 噛ませるかませる
to force someone to clamp with their teeth; to force into someone's mouth (e.g. a gag)
- 噛ませ犬かませいぬ
foil; someone to look as if he's putting up a fight but actually have no chance of winning
- 噛みしだくかみしだく
to crush with the teeth; to crunch
- 噛みタバコかみタバコ
chewing tobacco
- 噛み傷かみきず
bite wound; bite
- 噛み分けるかみわける
to taste; to distinguish; to understand
- 噛み千切るかみちぎる
to bite off
- 噛み合わせかみあわせ
occlusion; bite
Study
Etymology
噛 is the modern Japanese simplified form of 嚙. The older form combines 口 (mouth) with 齩, which likely contributed both sound and the idea of biting or chewing. The modern right side 歯 (tooth) visually reinforces the meaning.
Meaning mnemonic
A mouth 口 beside a tooth 歯: picture a mouth full of teeth actively chewing and biting down on food.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a cow chewing its cud with a slow, grinding motion: cow -> コウ, and the cow's teeth are always gnawing.