Translation guide
The English word 'drool' can refer to saliva flowing from the mouth, often involuntarily, or to expressing strong desire. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for both literal and figurative uses.
Describing saliva dripping or flowing out of the mouth, often while sleeping, due to hunger, or in babies.
The most common word for 'drool' as a noun. Can be used for saliva that drips involuntarily.
Expressing strong desire or lust for something, often in a slightly vulgar or humorous way.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to want something so much it makes you drool'. Used for food or desirable objects.
あのケーキ、よだれが出るほど欲しい。
I want that cake so much I'm drooling.
While よだれを垂らす can be used figuratively for desire, it may sound crude or overly dramatic in polite conversation. For formal contexts, use 欲しくてたまらない or 非常に欲しい instead.
その車が非常に欲しいです。
I really want that car.
The baby is drooling.
寝ている間によだれが出る。
I drool while sleeping.
Verb phrase meaning 'to drool'. Literally 'to let drool hang down'.
犬がよだれを垂らしている。
The dog is drooling.
Kanji form of よだれ, less common in everyday writing but seen in literature.
涎を拭く。
Wipe away drool.
Formal/medical term for 'saliva'. Not typically used for casual drooling.
唾液の分泌が増える。
Saliva secretion increases.
Figuratively 'to drool over' something, implying strong desire or lust.
彼は新車に涎を垂らしている。
He's drooling over the new car.
General expression for 'wanting something unbearably'. Not directly 'drool', but conveys intense desire.
そのバッグが欲しくてたまらない。
I want that bag so badly I can't stand it.