噛(か)み合(あ)う

かみあう
verb (godan)
to mesh, to fit together
1. to mesh, to interlock, to engage (gears)
For teeth, gears, or parts to fit together and work in coordination.
歯車(はぐるま)が噛(か)み合(あ)う。
The gears mesh together.
上(うえ)と下(した)の歯(は)がうまく噛(か)み合(あ)っていない。
My upper and lower teeth don't align properly.
部品(ぶひん)が正(ただ)しく噛(か)み合(あ)わないと機械(きかい)が動(うご)かない。
If the parts don't mesh correctly, the machine won't work.
2. to be in sync, to connect (conversation/argument)
For a discussion, argument, or interaction to proceed coherently, with both sides engaging with each other's points.
議論(ぎろん)が噛(か)み合(あ)わない。
The argument isn't connecting.
話(はなし)が全然(ぜんぜん)噛(か)み合(あ)っていなかった。
The conversation wasn't on the same page at all.
お互(たが)いの意見(いけん)が噛(か)み合(あ)わず、会議(かいぎ)は平行線(へいこうせん)のままだった。
Our opinions didn't mesh, and the meeting remained at an impasse.

CONJUGATION (godan-u):

  • Negative: 噛(か)み合(あ)わない
  • Te-form: 噛(か)み合(あ)って
  • Past: 噛(か)み合(あ)った

TRANSITIVITY:
Intransitive. Describes a mutual action between two or more things.

ASPECT:
噛(か)み合(あ)っている describes the state of being properly engaged or in sync.

USAGE:
Sense 2 is extremely common in everyday Japanese. 議論(ぎろん)が噛(か)み合(あ)わない (the argument doesn't connect) is used when two people are talking past each other.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 歯車(はぐるま)が噛(か)み合(あ)う: gears mesh
  • 議論(ぎろん)が噛(か)み合(あ)わない: arguments don't connect
  • 話(はなし)が噛(か)み合(あ)う: conversation flows well
general
Added 2026.2.8 14:27
10500/10586_kamiau