涙
namida[na̠mʲida̠]
The English word "tear" (a drop of salty liquid from the eyes) is 涙 (namida) in Japanese.
涙 is the standard noun for a tear. To describe the physical state of having eyes filled with tears, you can use the compound noun 涙目. When describing the action of shedding tears or crying, use the phrase 涙を流す. For the spontaneous or involuntary act of tears starting to flow or appearing, use the phrase 涙が出る.
Meaning: drop of clear salty liquid from the eyes (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 涙 is the general term, 涙滴 is a more formal term specifically referring to a single teardrop, often used in scientific or highly descriptive contexts. If you want to refer to the visible marks or stains left behind after crying, the formal term is 涙痕.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of crying or shedding tears, use the phrase 涙を流す. To describe the involuntary process of tears coming out, use 涙が出る.
How do you pronounce it?
namida
Did you know?
- The Japanese word for 'tear' shares a striking phonetic and semantic similarity with the Thai word น้ำตา (nám-dtaa), which also means 'water + eye'.
- During the Edo period, the word 涙 could be pronounced as nanda in the rough, informal speech used by servants and staff of samurai households.
Examples in context
- 涙が一筋トムの頬を伝っていった。A tear ran down Tom's cheek.This sentence shows how to use 涙 to describe a tear running down a cheek.Tatoeba #2960820 by tommy_san, translation #4641792 by corbinjurgens
- 一雫の涙が彼女の頬を伝って落ちた。A tear rolled down her cheek.This sentence uses 涙 to describe a single tear rolling down a cheek.Tatoeba #197500 by KK_kaku_, translation #34686 by CM
- はからずも博士の目には涙が浮かんだ。Unexpectedly, you could see a tear had surfaced in the corner of the doctor's eye.This sentence uses 涙 to describe tears surfacing in someone's eye.Tatoeba #6850093 by Sonata, translation #10068893 by tsp_2
- 彼女は涙を流して笑った。She laughed while shedding tears.
- 涙滴が宝石のように輝いている。The teardrop is shining like a jewel.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki is comforting Ren after he watched a sad movie.
- 美咲 Misakiそんなに涙を流さないで。Sonna ni namida o nagasanaide.Don't cry so much.
- 蓮 Renどうしても、涙が出てしまうんだ。Doushitemo, namida ga dete shimau n da.I just can't help the tears from coming out.
- 美咲 Misaki映画が、とても感動的だったのね。Eiga ga, totemo kandouteki datta no ne.The movie was very moving, wasn't it?
- 蓮 Renうん、本当に泣ける映画だったよ。Un, hontou ni nakeru eiga datta yo.Yeah, it was a real tearjerker.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tear” translations and entries 涙, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 涙, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
