歯ブラシ (haburashi) toothbrush

歯(は) (ha) = tooth

ブラシ (burashi) = brush

So 歯ブラシ (haburashi) is toothbrush.

磨(みが)く(migaku) = polish

歯磨(はみが)き (hamigaki) is to brush your teeth.

If you’re ever shopping for a toothbrush in Japan, these are the terms that you might see on the packaging:

・やわらかめ (yawarakame) = soft

・ふつう (futsū) = medium

・かため (katame) = hard

The め of やわらかめ means “on the soft side” and かため is “on the hard side”.

・歯磨(はみが)き粉 (こ) (hamigakiko) = toothpaste

・歯間(しかん)ブラシ (shikanburashi) = interdental brush

・デンタルフロス (dentarufurosu) = dental floss

・歯茎(はぐき) (haguki) = gums

・舌(した) (shita) = tongue

・虫歯(むしば) (mushiba) = cavity

・歯垢(しこう) (shikō) = (dental) plaque

・歯石(しせき) (shiseki) = tartar

Last but not least, an unpleasant word that you don’t want to hear too often:

・口臭(こうしゅう) (kōshū) = bad breath

口臭(こうしゅう)がひどい (kōshū ga hidoi)
or
口(くち)が口臭(くさ)い (kuchi ga kusai)
=
to have bad breath

ー

歯(は)、磨(みが)いた？
Did you brush your teeth?

まだ。
Not yet.

早(はや)く磨(みが)いてきて。
Please go brush them now.

早早(はや)く磨(みが)いてきなさい！ *imperative
Go brush them now!

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ビューラー (byūrā) eyelash curler