うがい

• Reading: うがい
• Romaji: ugai
• Kanji breakdown: 嗽 (sou/ugai) — gargle; rarely written in kanji
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ɡa.i/

Meaning

Gargling. The act of rinsing one's throat with water or mouthwash.

A noun that also functions as a する verb (うがいをする or うがいする, to gargle). An essential daily hygiene habit in Japan, especially during cold and flu season. Japanese children are taught from a young age to gargle and wash hands after coming home (手洗い・うがい). The kanji 嗽 exists but is almost never used. Often paired with 手洗い (handwashing) in health advice.

Examples

1. 外から帰ったら手洗いとうがいをしよう。 When you get home from outside, wash your hands and gargle.
2. 風邪の予防にうがいは効果がある。 Gargling is effective for preventing colds.
3. 冷たい水でうがいをすると気持ちがいい。 It feels refreshing to gargle with cold water.

Usage Guide

Context: health, daily hygiene, medical

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Likely derived from the word 鵜飼い (ukai, cormorant fishing), where trained cormorants swallow and regurgitate fish, resembling the action of gargling. The kanji 嗽 is a medical and literary form.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal