ガム
gamu[ɡa̠mɯ̟]
In Japanese, the word for "gum" (a single piece of chewing gum) is ガム (gamu).
ガム is used to refer to chewing gum.
Meaning: single piece of chewing gum (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
gamu
Did you know?
- If you were looking for the 'gums' in your mouth, you would not use the word ガム. Instead, Japanese uses the term 歯茎 (haguki), which literally translates to 'tooth stems'.
- In Japanese, the word ゴム (gomu) sounds almost identical to ガム (gamu), but they are not interchangeable. ゴム refers to 'rubber' used in tires or erasers, while ガム refers only to the candy you chew.
- In Japan, it is common to find ガム in vending machines, which are far more prevalent than in most Western countries.
Examples in context
- ガム持ってない？Do you have any gum?Tatoeba #1452345 by bunbuku, translation #953193 by CK
- 授業中にガムを噛むな。Don't chew gum in class.Tatoeba #11897931 by small_snow, translation #10069281 by espamatics
- ママ、ガム飲んじゃった！Mom, I swallowed my gum!This sentence illustrates a colloquial mistake where a child says they 飲んじゃった (drank/swallowed) their ガム.Tatoeba #11825721 by small_snow, translation #11351115 by ddnktr
- 私はガムを噛むのが好きです。I like chewing gum.
- 彼女はガムを常に持っています。She always carries gum with her.
- 私、チューインガムを噛んでるんだ。I'm chewing gum.
- あの子はいつもガムを噛んでいるよ。That girl always chews gum.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are walking to school.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、ガムある？Kenta, gamu aru?Kenta, do you have any gum?
- 健太 Kentaうん、一つあげるよ。Un, hitotsu ageru yo.Yeah, I'll give you one piece.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう！助かる。Arigatou! Tasukaru.Thanks! You're a lifesaver.
- 健太 Kentaいいよ。ゆっくり噛んでね。Ii yo. Yukkuri kande ne.No problem. Chew it slowly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ガム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
