喉元(のどもと)

のどもと
noun
throat; front of the neck
body-part
1. throat; front of the neck
The front part of the throat, from the base of the chin to the upper chest. Used both literally and in many figurative expressions.
喉元(のどもと)まで出(で)かかっている。
It's on the tip of my tongue.
熱(あつ)いものが喉元(のどもと)を通(とお)った。
Something hot passed through my throat.
喉元(のどもと)過(す)ぎれば熱(あつ)さを忘(わす)れるというが、あの苦(くる)しさは忘(わす)れられない。
They say you forget the pain once it passes, but I can never forget that suffering.

Composed of 喉(のど) (throat) + 元(もと) (area around). Refers to the front of the throat, a vulnerable and sensitive area. Appears in several well-known proverbs and idiomatic expressions.

Common expressions

  • 喉元(のどもと)過(す)ぎれば熱(あつ)さを忘(わす)れる: once the heat passes the throat, you forget the pain — people quickly forget hardship once it's over
  • 喉元(のどもと)まで出(で)かかる: to be on the tip of one's tongue — almost able to recall something
  • 喉元(のどもと)に突(つ)きつける: to hold (a blade) to someone's throat — to press someone hard

Similar words

  • 喉(のど): throat — the general body part; 喉元(のどもと) emphasizes the front surface area
  • 胸元(むなもと): chest area — slightly lower, around the upper chest and neckline
  • 首元(くびもと): neck area — the area around the neck, including the sides and back