舌 — meaning in English: tongue

shita · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for tongue

ステップ

sutepu

息

iki

代表

daihyou

安全性

anzensei

舌

shita

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 舌 (shita) in various contexts, from discussing health issues related to taste or oral hygiene to describing the physical act of tasting food. In casual conversations, one might say something like, 'I burnt my 舌 on hot tea,' or in a more formal setting, a doctor might examine a patient's 舌 during a routine check-up.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for 舌 is 味覚 (mikaku), which means 'sense of taste.' While 味覚 focuses on the sensory experience, 舌 specifically refers to the physical tongue itself. You would choose 舌 when discussing anatomy or health, while 味覚 is more appropriate in culinary or sensory contexts.

Culture

The character 舌 (shita) not only refers to the physical tongue but has deep cultural significance in Japanese literature and sayings. For instance, the phrase '舌を噛む' (shita o kamu) means 'to bite one's tongue,' which refers to regretting something said, emphasizing the importance of words and the act of speaking in Japanese society.

FAQ

Q.What is the meaning of 舌 in English?

舌 (shita) translates to 'tongue' in English, referring to the muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, swallowing, and speaking.

Q.How do you use 舌 in a sentence?

You can use 舌 in sentences like, '彼は舌を火傷した' (Kare wa shita o yakenshita), meaning 'He burnt his tongue,' which is a common way to express this situation in Japanese.

Q.Are there common mistakes with using 舌 in Japanese?

One common mistake is confusing 舌 with 口 (kuchi), which means 'mouth.' Remember, 舌 specifically refers to the tongue, while 口 encompasses the entire mouth area.

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