噛み締める

かみしめる
Alternative writings: 噛みしめる, かみ締める, 噛締める
Frequency:

1To chew thoroughly (to savor), or to bite down (e.g. on one's lip) tightly.

Group 2 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

彼女はパンを噛み締めながらゆっくり食べた。

She chewed the bread slowly, savoring it.

痛みをこらえるために歯を噛み締めた。

I bit my teeth together to bear the pain.

固いお肉を何度も噛み締めた。

I had to chew the tough meat many times.

2To reflect on or internalize an experience; to savor and fully appreciate (an emotion, achievement, or memory).

Group 2 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

合格の知らせを受け、彼は自分の努力を噛み締めた。

When he got the news of passing, he savored his own effort.

別れの言葉を何度も噛み締めてから電話を切った。

He repeated the farewell words to himself before hanging up.

その景色を目に焼き付けるように噛み締めた。

I took in the view, committing it to memory.

Word Relationships

Derivations