Meaning

Primary

Spit

Alternative

Saliva

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The kanji means saliva, and this is the basic, everyday word for that: spit.

Reading

つば
  • Miyuki
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 唾を飲み込む

    to swallow one's spit

     唾を吐く

    to spit

     唾をつける

    to put saliva on, to stake a claim on something

     唾を吐きかける

    to spit at

     唾を飛ばす

    to spray saliva

Context Sentences

彼は緊張して唾がうまく飲み込めなかった。

He was so nervous he could barely get his saliva down.

唾を飛ばさないようにゆっくり話しました。

I spoke slowly so as not to send spittle flying.

あの新人、優秀だから、今のうちに唾をつけておいたほうがいいよ。

That new hire is really good — we should try to lay claim to him while we can.

Kanji Composition