舌（した、shita）
- tongue

The Japanese word 舌 (した) primarily means "tongue". It refers to the muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, swallowing, and speaking. However, it can also have figurative meanings.

⚫︎舌を出す。 Translation: To stick out one's tongue. ⚫︎舌が回らない。 Translation: To be tongue-tied; to have difficulty speaking.

⚫︎You would use 舌 when discussing the physical tongue, its functions, or related actions. ⚫︎It can also be used in idioms and expressions related to speech or taste. ⚫︎The word is generally used in casual and formal conversations.

⚫︎The word is most commonly written with the kanji 舌. ⚫︎The hiragana reading is した.

There aren't many direct synonyms for "tongue" in Japanese that are used in everyday conversation. However, here are some related words: ⚫︎ 口 (くち): Mouth

The word does not have direct antonyms because it describes a body part.

犬は暑いと舌を出して呼吸します。 ・Translation: Dogs breathe with their tongues out when they are hot. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the physical action of a dog using its tongue.

彼は舌が達者で、プレゼンテーションが上手です。 ・Translation: He has a silver tongue and is good at presentations. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 舌 figuratively to describe someone's skillful speech.

The etymology of 舌 is not definitively known, but it's believed to be an ancient Japanese word. The kanji 舌 itself is derived from Chinese characters and represents the tongue.