あくび
akubi
The English word "yawn" is translated into Japanese as あくび (akubi).
あくび is the standard way to refer to the act of yawning. You can use it as a noun or, when paired with the verb する, to express the action of yawning.
Meaning: open the mouth and take a deep breath (verb)
Which one should you use?
While あくび is the standard form used in daily life, the kanji form 欠伸 also means yawn. However, this version is much more formal and is less common in everyday writing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use あくび as a verb meaning "to yawn", you must pair it with the verb する (to do), forming あくびをする.
How do you pronounce it?
akubi
Did you know?
- There is a Japanese superstition that yawning happens when your soul is trying to leave your body or when someone is talking about you behind your back.
- The kanji for あくび, which is 欠伸, uses the character 欠 meaning 'lack' or 'gap', which visually represents a wide open mouth.
- The archaic verb form あくぶ (akubu) is recorded in the famous 11th-century literary work 枕草子 (The Pillow Book), showing the word has been part of the language for over a millennium.
Examples in context
- トムはあくびを抑えた。Tom suppressed a yawn.This sentence shows how to use あくび with the verb used to suppress it.Tatoeba #7554229 by Ninja, translation #2646294 by CK
- あくびをしないようにしなさい。Try not to yawn.This sentence demonstrates how to use あくび in a command or instruction regarding the act of yawning.Tatoeba #7554227 by Ninja, translation #3946610 by CK
- 聴衆は退屈してあくびをし始めた。Being bored, the audience began to yawn.This sentence illustrates using あくび to describe an action that has begun.Tatoeba #126052 by tommy__san, translation #277940 by Zifre
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are studying in the library.
- 健太 Kentaあくびが出ちゃうよ。Akubi ga dechau yo.I can't stop yawning.
- 結衣 Yui健太、眠いの？Kenta, nemui no?Kenta, are you sleepy?
- 健太 Kentaうん、あくびが止まらないんだ。Un, akubi ga tomaranai nda.Yeah, I can't stop yawning.
- 結衣 Yuiちょっと休憩しようか。Chotto kyūkei shiyō ka.Shall we take a short break?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries あくび, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
