ため口(ぐち)

ためぐち
noun
casual speech, informal language
informallanguagesociety
See also: タメ口(ぐち) (casual speech (variant))
1. casual speech, informal language used between equals
Speech that omits polite forms and honorifics, typically used between friends, close colleagues, or people of similar age and status.
ため口(ぐち)でいいよ。
You can speak casually with me.
上司(じょうし)にため口(ぐち)は失礼(しつれい)だ。
It's rude to use casual speech with your boss.
初対面(しょたいめん)なのにため口(ぐち)で話(はな)しかけてきた。
Even though we'd just met, they spoke to me casually.
仲(なか)よくなったからため口(ぐち)で話(はな)すようになった。
Since we became close, we started speaking casually to each other.

ため口(ぐち) refers to casual speech used between people of equal status, without keigo (honorific language). The ため comes from 対等(たいとう) (equal) or タメ (same age/status), and 口(ぐち)/口(くち) means "speech" or "way of speaking."

This term is commonly used when:

  • Asking if casual speech is okay: ため口(ぐち)でいい?
  • Describing someone's inappropriate language use
  • Discussing when to switch from polite to casual speech

In Japanese social dynamics, switching to ため口(ぐち) often marks a shift to a closer relationship.

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Added 2026.2.1 17:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09000/09352_tameguchi