たわ言(ごと)

Writing

Can be written as 戯言(たわごと) or 戯(たわむ)れ言(ごと), but often written in hiragana as たわ言(ごと) or たわごと.

Usage

たわ言(ごと) is used to dismiss something as foolish or irrational. It's slightly more literary or emphatic than just saying くだらないこと (worthless things).

Common patterns

• たわ言(ごと)を言(い)う - to talk nonsense
• たわ言(ごと)だ - it's nonsense
• たわ言(ごと)にすぎない - it's nothing but nonsense

Related words

• 寝言(ねごと) - sleep-talking; nonsense
• 繰(く)り言(ごと) - repetitive complaints
• 泣(な)き言(ごと) - complaining, whining

Register

Slightly literary/emphatic. Can sound dismissive or contemptuous.