嘘(うそ)

うそ
noun
lie
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

OPPOSITE:

  • 本当(ほんとう): truth (everyday)
  • 真実(しんじつ): truth (formal/literary)

IDIOM:

  • 嘘(うそ)も方便(ほうべん): a white lie can be justified (lit. even lies can be expedient)

USAGE NOTE:
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)
core
Added 2026.1.9 21:48 · Revised 2026.4.2 14:09
01500/01796_uso