1.
to spit; to expectorate
To forcefully expel saliva from the mouth. Considered rude behavior in public.
道で唾を吐くのはマナー違反だ。
Spitting on the street is bad manners.
彼は地面に唾を吐いてから歩き去った。
He spat on the ground and walked away.
公共の場で唾を吐く行為は、条例で禁止されている地域もある。
In some areas, the act of spitting in public places is prohibited by local ordinance.
2.
to speak abusively; to hurl insults
Figuratively, to say something hateful or contemptuous.
彼女は怒りに任せて暴言を吐いた。
She hurled abusive words in a fit of anger.
悪態を吐いても何も解決しない。
Hurling insults won't solve anything.
負けた悔しさから捨て台詞を吐いて去っていった。
Out of frustration from losing, he spat out a parting shot and left.
The literal meaning is to spit saliva (唾). The verb 吐く extends figuratively to spitting out words — saying something harsh or contemptuous. In the figurative sense, the object changes from 唾 to words like 暴言 (abusive language) or 悪態 (insults).
The related expression 天に唾する (to spit at heaven) is a proverb meaning that insults directed at others will come back to harm oneself.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 道に唾を吐く: to spit on the road
- 暴言を吐く: to hurl abusive language
- 悪態を吐く: to hurl insults
- 弱音を吐く: to complain, to show weakness
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 痰を吐く: to spit phlegm — specifically expelling phlegm
- 吐き捨てる: to spit out, to say dismissively — emphasizes contempt in the way something is said
- 毒を吐く: to make venomous remarks — to say something deliberately hurtful