noun
holding chopsticks in one's mouth
A specific breach of Japanese table manners; refers to the act of holding chopsticks in the mouth, often while using both hands for something else. Considered rude and childish.
くわえ箸はマナー違反です。
Holding chopsticks in your mouth is bad manners.
子供がくわえ箸をしないように注意した。
I warned the child not to hold chopsticks in their mouth.
The general word for 'chopsticks'; くわえ箸 is a specific misuse of chopsticks.
A broader term for 'breach of etiquette'; くわえ箸 is one example of a table manner violation.
Compound of くわえ (continuative form of くわえる 'hold in mouth') + 箸 (はし 'chopsticks'). The reading くわえばし results from rendaku voicing of はし.