嘘(うそ)

うそ
noun
lie
communication
1. lie, falsehood
A false statement made with intent to deceive.
嘘(うそ)をついてはいけません。
You must not tell lies.
それは嘘(うそ)でしょう！
That must be a lie! / No way!
Expression of disbelief
嘘(うそ)か本当(ほんとう)かわからない。
I don't know if it's a lie or the truth.
嘘(うそ)はいつかばれる。
Lies are always found out eventually.
彼(かれ)は嘘(うそ)つきだ。
He is a liar.

嘘(うそ) means a lie or falsehood. Also commonly used as an exclamation expressing disbelief.

Common expressions

  • 嘘(うそ)をつく: to tell a lie
  • 嘘(うそ)！: No way! / You're kidding! (exclamation of surprise)
  • 嘘(うそ)つき: liar
  • 嘘(うそ)みたい: unbelievable, seems too good to be true
  • 嘘(うそ)くさい: fishy, seems like a lie
  • 嘘(うそ)も方便(ほうべん): a white lie can be justified (lit. even lies can be expedient)

Similar words

Usage

As an exclamation, 嘘(うそ)！ or うそ！ is very common in casual speech. It does not accuse someone of lying — it expresses surprise or disbelief, similar to English 'No way!' or 'Really?!'

Related Words

Antonym: 本当(ほんとう) (truth)
Synonym: 虚偽(きょぎ) (falsehood (formal, legal))
Compare: 真実(しんじつ) (truth)
Compare: 空言(そらごと) (empty words)
Compare: 大(おお)ぼら (tall tale)
Compare: 虚言(きょげん) (lie)
core
Added 2026.1.9 21:48 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
01500/01796_uso