唾(つば)を吐(は)く

つばをはく
expression
to spit; to expectorate
body-partcommunication
1. to spit; to expectorate
To forcefully expel saliva from the mouth. Considered rude behavior in public.
道(みち)で唾(つば)を吐(は)くのはマナー違反(いはん)だ。
Spitting on the street is bad manners.
彼(かれ)は地面(じめん)に唾(つば)を吐(は)いてから歩(ある)き去(さ)った。
He spat on the ground and walked away.
公共(こうきょう)の場(ば)で唾(つば)を吐(は)く行為(こうい)は、条例(じょうれい)で禁止(きんし)されている地域(ちいき)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(かのじょ)は怒(いか)りに任(まか)せて暴言(ぼうげん)を吐(は)いた。
She hurled abusive words in a fit of anger.
悪態(あくたい)を吐(は)いても何(なに)も解決(かいけつ)しない。
Hurling insults won't solve anything.
負(ま)けた悔(くや)しさから捨(す)て台詞(ぜりふ)を吐(は)いて去(さ)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(つば)). The verb 吐(は)く extends figuratively to spitting out words — saying something harsh or contemptuous. In the figurative sense, the object changes from 唾(つば) to words like 暴言(ぼうげん) (abusive language) or 悪態(あくたい) (insults).

The related expression 天(てん)に唾(つば)する (to spit at heaven) is a proverb meaning that insults directed at others will come back to harm oneself.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 痰(たん)を吐(は)く: to spit phlegm — specifically expelling phlegm
  • 吐(は)き捨(す)てる: to spit out, to say dismissively — emphasizes contempt in the way something is said
  • 毒(どく)を吐(は)く: to make venomous remarks — to say something deliberately hurtful
general
Added 2026.4.23 21:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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