noun
Dental term for how the upper and lower teeth meet. Also used in everyday contexts to refer to one's bite.
歯科医に噛み合わせが悪いと言われた。
The dentist told me my bite is misaligned.
矯正治療で噛み合わせ
I improved my occlusion through orthodontic treatment.
noun
meshing; engaging (of gears)
Mechanical term for gears fitting together. Also used metaphorically for things working in harmony.
歯車の噛み合わせがずれている。
The gears are not meshing properly.
チームの噛み合わせが良くなってきた。
The team is starting to work well together.
Rare variant using 咬, mainly in dental contexts.
Compound of 噛み (kami, 'biting', continuative form of 噛む) and 合わせ (awase, 'joining', continuative form of 合わせる). Literally 'biting together'.