くしゃみをする
kushami o suru
To sneeze in Japanese is くしゃみをする (kushami o suru). Wiktionary also lists しゃみをする (shami o suru).
Meaning: expel air as a reflex (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| くしゃみをする | kushami o suru |
| しゃみをする | shami o suru |
The phrase is used to describe the action of expelling air as a reflex. The noun form くしゃみ refers to the act of sneezing itself.
Which one should you use?
くしゃみが出る functions as an intransitive form to describe a sneeze occurring or 'coming out,' which is often used to describe the involuntary nature of the reflex.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase しゃみをする is also a form you may encounter.
How do you pronounce it?
kushami o suru
Did you know?
- In some Japanese superstitions, a sneeze is thought to be a sign that someone is talking about you behind your back.
- In some traditional beliefs, a sudden くしゃみ was thought to be a sign that the soul was momentarily leaving the body or that a spirit was attempting to enter.
- When someone sneezes, Japanese people rarely say 'bless you'. Instead, they might ask kaze desu ka meaning 'do you have a cold?'
Examples in context
- トムがくしゃみをするのが聞こえた。I heard Tom sneeze.This sentence is useful for describing hearing someone sneeze using くしゃみをする.Tatoeba #8218511 by Tanikaz, translation #12534067 by CK
- 咳やくしゃみをする時は、口元を覆いましょう。Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.This sentence is useful for giving advice about covering your mouth when you くしゃみをする.Tatoeba #11156588 by small_snow, translation #10678831 by AlanF_US
- 急にくしゃみをする。kyuu ni kushami o suru.To sneeze suddenly.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are in a room with dust.
- 健太 Kenta急にくしゃみをした。Kyuu ni kushami o shita.I suddenly sneezed.
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫？風邪かな。Daijoubu? Kaze kana.Are you okay? Maybe it is a cold.
- 健太 Kentaいいえ、ここは埃が多いからくしゃみをする。Iie, koko wa hokori ga ooi kara kushami o suru.No, I sneeze because there is a lot of dust here.
- 結衣 Yuiそうね。窓を開けましょう。Sou ne. Mado o akemashou.You're right. Let's open the window.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sneeze” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
