喉(のど)を鳴(な)らす

のどをならす
expression
to purr; to smack one's lips
action
1. to purr (of a cat)
Describes the sound a cat makes when content, vibrating its throat to produce a rumbling purr.
猫(ねこ)が喉(のど)を鳴(な)らしている。
The cat is purring.
膝(ひざ)の上(うえ)で猫(ねこ)が気持(きも)ちよさそうに喉(のど)を鳴(な)らしていた。
The cat was purring contentedly on my lap.
撫(な)でてやると、喉(のど)をゴロゴロ鳴(な)らして喜(よろこ)んだ。
When I petted it, it purred happily.
2. to smack one's lips; to lick one's lips in anticipation
To make sounds of eager anticipation, especially when seeing or thinking about delicious food.
おいしそうな料理(りょうり)を見(み)て喉(のど)を鳴(な)らした。
He smacked his lips at the sight of the delicious-looking food.
焼(や)き肉(にく)のにおいがして、思(おも)わず喉(のど)を鳴(な)らした。
The smell of grilling meat made me involuntarily smack my lips.
ケーキが並(なら)んでいるショーケースを見(み)て、子供(こども)たちは喉(のど)を鳴(な)らした。
The children licked their lips looking at the cakes lined up in the display case.

Usage

Sense 1 (purring) is by far the most common usage. The onomatopoeia ゴロゴロ is often added to describe the purring sound: 喉(のど)をゴロゴロ鳴(な)らす.

Common collocations

Related words

  • 舌鼓(したつづみ)を打(う)つ: to smack one's lips in appreciation of food — a more literary expression for sense 2
general
Added 2026.3.22 18:54 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18500/18603_nodowonarasu