咥える

• Reading: くわえる
• Romaji: kuwaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 咥 (ketsu/kuwa) — hold in the mouth
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.wa.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To hold something in the mouth; to carry in the mouth. Used for objects gripped between teeth or lips.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb conjugated by dropping る. Specifically describes holding or gripping something in the mouth without chewing or swallowing — like a pipe, cigarette, or an animal carrying something. Often written in hiragana as くわえる. Distinct from 加える (kuwaeru, to add), which uses different kanji.

Examples

1. 犬がボールをくわえて走ってきた。 The dog came running with a ball in its mouth.
2. おじいさんはパイプをくわえながら新聞を読んでいた。 Grandpa was reading the newspaper with a pipe in his mouth.
3. 猫が魚をくわえて逃げていった。 The cat grabbed the fish in its mouth and ran off.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, animal descriptions, literature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 咥 combines 口 (mouth) and 至 (to arrive/reach), conveying the image of something being brought to and held in the mouth.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal