Lip meanings in Japanese

唇 (くちびる, kuchibiru)

Example:

She has beautiful lips.

彼女は美しい唇を持っています。

He kissed her on the lips.

彼は彼女の唇にキスをしました。

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in both casual and formal settings, often in descriptions of physical appearance or romantic contexts.

Note: 唇 is a common term and is used in both spoken and written Japanese.

口 (くち, kuchi)

Example:

He talked back to her, giving lip.

彼は彼女に口答えをしました。

Don't give me lip!

私に口を利くな！

Usage: informalContext: Used in casual conversations, often in contexts of disrespect or sass.

Note: In this context, 'lip' refers to cheeky or disrespectful remarks.

口紅 (くちべに, kuchibeni)

Example:

She applied her lipstick carefully.

彼女は口紅を丁寧に塗りました。

What shade of lipstick are you wearing?

あなたはどの色の口紅を使っていますか？

Usage: formal/informalContext: Commonly used in beauty and fashion contexts.

Note: 口紅 specifically refers to lipstick, a cosmetic applied to the lips.

リップ (rippu)

Example:

I need to buy some lip balm.

リップバームを買う必要があります。

She loves using lip gloss.

彼女はリップグロスを使うのが大好きです。

Usage: informalContext: Used in casual conversations, especially when referring to modern cosmetic products.

Note: リップ is a loanword from English and is often used in the context of cosmetics.

mouth

The mouth is the opening in the face used for eating, speaking, etc. It can be used as a synonym for 'lip' in some contexts, especially when referring to the area around the lips.

Example: She pressed her lips together tightly.

Note: While 'lip' specifically refers to the fleshy part that borders the mouth, 'mouth' encompasses the entire opening and can refer to the lips as well.

labium

In anatomy, 'labium' refers to a lip-like structure or part, such as the labia in the female genitalia or the labium of an insect.

Example: The labium is a sensitive part of the body.

Note: Unlike 'lip' which is a more general term, 'labium' is used in specific anatomical contexts.

rim

'Rim' can refer to the edge, border, or margin of an object or body part, including the lips.

Example: The rim of the glass was chipped.

Note: While 'lip' refers specifically to the fleshy part that borders the mouth, 'rim' is a broader term that can refer to the edge of various objects.

Keep a stiff upper lip

To remain brave and show courage in difficult situations, to not show emotions or fear.

Example: Even though she was going through a tough time, she tried to keep a stiff upper lip.

Note: The phrase 'stiff upper lip' refers to the upper lip being held firmly to prevent it from trembling due to emotions, indicating control and resilience.

Bite your lip

To suppress one's emotions, especially anger or laughter.

Example: She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing during the serious meeting.

Note: Unlike the literal action of biting one's lip, this phrase means holding back a reaction or emotion.

Slip of the lip

An unintentional or accidental revealing of information that was meant to be kept secret.

Example: His blunder was just a slip of the lip, he didn't mean to reveal the secret.

Note: This phrase refers to a verbal mistake or slip of tongue, rather than a physical action involving the lips.

Loose lips sink ships

Warning against careless talk or revealing secrets that could have serious consequences.

Example: Remember, loose lips sink ships, so be careful with what you say.

Note: The phrase uses 'lips' metaphorically to represent talking too openly or indiscreetly, leading to negative outcomes.

Have a stiff upper lip

To maintain a brave and resolute attitude in the face of adversity or difficulty.

Example: Despite the setbacks, she always has a stiff upper lip and faces challenges head-on.

Note: Similar to 'keep a stiff upper lip,' this phrase emphasizes maintaining composure and resolve in tough situations.

Read my lips

An emphatic way of stating something clearly and ensuring that it is understood and believed.

Example: Read my lips: I will never betray your trust.

Note: This phrase uses 'read my lips' figuratively to emphasize the importance and sincerity of the statement being made.

Lip service

Paying verbal support or allegiance without taking real action or making a meaningful effort.

Example: Just saying you support the cause is mere lip service; we need action.

Note: The phrase implies insincerity or superficiality in words or promises, without genuine commitment or follow-through.

Lipstick on a pig

This slang means trying to make something unattractive or unsuitable appear more attractive or appealing through superficial changes.

Example: No matter how you dress it up, it's still a bad idea. Putting lipstick on a pig won't make it any better.

Note: It refers to adding cosmetic enhancements to something unattractive, unlike the original meaning of 'lip' which is a physical feature.

Bust someone's lip

To hit or punch someone in the mouth, causing physical harm.

Example: He threatened to bust my lip if I didn't give him the money.

Note: While 'lip' refers to the fleshy part of the mouth, 'bust someone's lip' is a violent action.

Zip your lip

An informal way to tell someone to be quiet or stop talking.

Example: I told him to zip his lip before he said something he shouldn't.

Note: It uses 'zip' in the context of closing or sealing shut, contrasting with the original word referring to the movable part of the mouth.

Lip off

To talk back rudely or disrespectfully, especially when one should be listening or following instructions.

Example: Stop lip off and start listening for once!

Note: It involves speaking in a disrespectful manner, differing from the neutral reference to the physical feature.

Gloss your lips

To apply lip gloss to make one's lips shiny and sometimes more colorful or moisturized.

Example: She likes to gloss her lips before going out.

Note: In this context, 'gloss' refers to a cosmetic product used on the lips, distinct from the anatomical part of the mouth.

Smack your lips

To make a noise with one's lips, often in a way that shows anticipation or satisfaction.

Example: He smacked his lips in anticipation of the delicious meal.

Note: It denotes the sound or action of smacking one's lips, unlike the physical structure of lips.

His lips were chapped from the cold.

She bit her lip nervously.

The lipstick made her lips look fuller.

Lip - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)

Lemma: lip

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): lips, lip

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): lip

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): lipped

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): lipping

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): lips

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): lip

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): lip

Syllabification and Stress

lip Contains 1 syllables: lip

Phonetic transcription: ˈlip

lip , ˈlip (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

lip: ~ 1400 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Lip