1.
to hold in one's mouth
To grip something between the lips or teeth.
タバコを咥える。
To hold a cigarette in one's mouth.
犬がボールを咥えている。
The dog is holding a ball in its mouth.
ペンを咥えて考える。
To think while holding a pen in one's mouth.
猫が魚を咥えて逃げた。
The cat ran off with a fish in its mouth.
パイプを咥えたまま話し始めた。
He started talking with a pipe still in his mouth.
咥える means to hold something in one's mouth, gripping it with the lips or teeth without biting down.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を particle: タバコを咥える
ASPECT (ている):
咥えている indicates the ongoing state of holding something in the mouth.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- タバコを咥える: to hold a cigarette in one's mouth
- パイプを咥える: to hold a pipe in one's mouth
- ペンを咥える: to hold a pen in one's mouth
DON'T CONFUSE WITH 加える:
- 咥える (hold in mouth) - uses {咥} kanji
- 加える (to add) - uses {加} kanji
RELATED: 噛む (to bite/chew) involves biting down, while 咥える is just holding.