クチャラー Kuchaler /kʊtʃalə(r)/

What クチャラー is?

クチャラー (Kuchaler) /kʊtʃalə(r)*/ is a Japanese word that is combined with onomatopoeia クチャ (kucha) and person ラー (ler).

クチャ describes the sound of chewing loudly with one’s mouth open. It is often used to refer to people who exhibit this behaviour. Some people hate クチャラー and refuse to be a friend.

*I used the International Phonetical Alphabet (IPA) on it to try to pronounce the word, but it may not be an accurate IPA because I am not a linguist.

The Kucha sound comes out when you eat, moving your tongue more than necessary while saliva and food mix and eating with your mouth open. If you make this noise, people around you will feel unnecessarily uncomfortable and think you are ill-bred in Japan. 

To avoid being a Kuchaler

It seems that Kuchaler is unaware. Perhaps both you and I are Kuchaler. To prevent offending any friends in Japan, it’s important to follow the tip of not making noise while eating.

Close your mouth when you eat 

Eating with your mouth closed is the most important thing to avoid becoming a Kuchaler. 

Don’t eat a lot in one bite

In the first place, some foods make chewing sounds in everyone’s mouth. However, by eating small portions, you’ll be able to reduce the chewing noise and be careful not to make it the crunchiest, most unpleasant chewing sound.

Chew well after each bite and swallow firmly before putting the next food in your mouth

Chewing food in your mouth with a drink before you chew it, or trying to fill your mouth with other food when you still have food, makes chewing sound more likely to leak.

Try to breathe through your nose during meals

Nasal breathing is usually recommended unless you have a specific reason to do so, but be especially careful when you’re eating. Mouth breathing that opens the mouth also makes chewing sound more likely to leak.