くしゃみ

Alternative writings: , , クシャミ
JLPT:N2
Frequency:
1

A sneeze — the sudden expulsion of air from the nose/mouth caused by irritation.

NounIrregular VerbIntransitive VerbUsually Kana

Examples

会議中に急にくしゃみが出てしまった。

I suddenly sneezed during the meeting.

季節の変わり目はくしゃみが多くなる。

You sneeze more often at the change of seasons.

彼は花粉症で一日に何度もくしゃみをする。

He sneezes many times a day because of hay fever.

2

An expression (traditionally said twice) in response to someone sneezing — a folk charm said to ward off early death.

ExpressionIdiomatic ExpressionUsually Kana

Examples

友達がくしゃみをしたら、年配の人が『くしゃみ、くしゃみ』と言った。

When my friend sneezed, an older person said 'kushami, kushami' (twice).

昔はくしゃみを聞くと『くしゃみ、くしゃみ』と二度唱えたという話を聞いた。

I heard that in old times people would say 'kushami, kushami' twice when they heard a sneeze.