1.
to stuff one's cheeks; to cram food into one's mouth
To put a large amount of food into one's mouth at once, making the cheeks puff out. Conveys an image of eating enthusiastically or greedily, often used to describe someone enjoying food with abandon.
おにぎりを頬張る。
Stuff a rice ball into one's mouth.
子どもたちがケーキを頬張っている姿がかわいい。
The sight of the children stuffing their mouths with cake is adorable.
昼休みに急いでサンドイッチを頬張りながら、午後の会議の資料に目を通した。
During lunch break, I scarfed down a sandwich while reviewing the materials for the afternoon meeting.
USAGE:
頬張る literally means to fill one's 頬 (cheeks). It paints a vivid picture of someone eating enthusiastically. It can be used affectionately (children eating) or to describe hurried eating.
CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (る → ら/り/る/れ/ろ): 頬張らない, 頬張ります, 頬張る, 頬張れば, 頬張ろう
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- おにぎりを頬張る (to stuff a rice ball into one's mouth)
- パンを頬張る (to cram bread into one's mouth)
- 大口で頬張る (to stuff one's mouth wide open)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 頬張る: to stuff one's cheeks (vivid, visual image)
- かぶりつく: to bite into, to sink one's teeth into (aggressive eating)
- 食べる: to eat (neutral, general)