1.
word of mouth, online review
Information or opinions about products, services, or businesses spread informally between people, either in person or through online review platforms.
口コミで広まった。
It spread by word of mouth.
この店は口コミの評価が高い。
This restaurant has high review ratings.
旅行先のホテルを選ぶとき、いつも口コミを参考にしている。
When choosing a hotel for travel, I always refer to online reviews.
WRITING:
Written as 口コミ (mixed kanji and katakana). The コミ part is short for コミュニケーション (communication). Sometimes written entirely in katakana as クチコミ.
USAGE:
Originally referred to in-person word of mouth, but now overwhelmingly used to mean online reviews on platforms like Google Maps, 食べログ (Tabelog), and Amazon. The word carries a sense of peer-generated information as opposed to official advertising.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 口コミで広まる: spread by word of mouth
- 口コミサイト: review website
- 口コミ評価: review rating
- 口コミを書く: write a review