有言実行(ゆうげんじっこう)

ゆうげんじっこう
noun (four-character idiom)
practice what you preach; follow through on one's words
1. practice what you preach
To actually do what one has declared one will do; to keep one's word and carry out one's stated intentions.
有言実行(ゆうげんじっこう)できる人(ひと)は信頼(しんらい)される。
People who practice what they preach are trusted.
彼(かれ)は有言実行(ゆうげんじっこう)の人(ひと)だ。
He's a man who follows through on his word.
有言実行(ゆうげんじっこう)をモットーにしている。
My motto is to always follow through on what I say.

FOUR-CHARACTER IDIOM (四字熟語(よじじゅくご)):
有言(ゆうげん) (stating/declaring) + 実行(じっこう) (carrying out, execution)

COMPONENTS:

  • 有(ゆう): to have, to exist
  • 言(げん): words, to say
  • 実(じつ): reality, truth
  • 行(こう): action, to do

CONTRAST WITH 不言実行(ふげんじっこう):
不言実行(ふげんじっこう) (acting without speaking) is the opposite concept—doing things without announcing them beforehand. Both are considered virtues in different contexts.

USAGE:
Often used as a personal motto or to describe someone reliable who keeps their promises.

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • 言行一致(げんこういっち): consistency between words and actions
  • 約束(やくそく)を守(まも)る: to keep a promise
  • 有言(ゆうげん)する: to declare, to state publicly
general
Added 2026.1.17 13:09 · Revised 2026.6.16 18:18
06000/06148_yuugenjikkou