嚥 下(えんげ)

えんげ

noun

swallowing; deglutition

formalhealth body-internal

1. swallowing; deglutition

The medical term for the act of swallowing food or liquid. Often used in healthcare contexts regarding swallowing disorders.

嚥下(えんげ)障害(しょうがい)がある。

I have a swallowing disorder.

高齢者(こうれいしゃ)の嚥下(えんげ)機能(きのう)が低下(ていか)している。

Swallowing function in elderly people is declining.

嚥下(えんげ)訓練(くんれん)を受(う)けてから食事(しょくじ)がしやすくなった。

After receiving swallowing training, eating became easier.

嚥下(えんげ) is a medical/technical term.

Usage

Primarily used in medical and caregiving contexts
Everyday speech typically uses 飲(の)み込(こ)む (to swallow)

Common collocations

嚥下(えんげ)する: to swallow (formal)
嚥下(えんげ)障害(しょうがい): dysphagia (swallowing disorder)
嚥下(えんげ)機能(きのう): swallowing function
嚥下(えんげ)訓練(くんれん): swallowing therapy/training
嚥下(えんげ)困難(こんなん): difficulty swallowing
誤嚥(ごえん): aspiration (food/liquid entering airway)

Medical importance

Swallowing disorders (嚥下(えんげ)障害(しょうがい)) are common in elderly patients and can lead to aspiration pneumonia.

Related Words

Related: 咀嚼(そしゃく) (chewing, mastication)

general

Added 2026.1.31 8:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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