1.
to persuade, to talk into, to win over
To persistently try to convince someone to agree or comply. Often implies repeated or prolonged attempts.
友人を口説いて参加させた。
I persuaded my friend to participate.
何度も口説いてやっと承諾してもらった。
After persuading them many times, I finally got their agreement.
社長を口説いてプロジェクトの予算を増やしてもらった。
I talked the president into increasing the project budget.
2.
to hit on, to make a pass at, to court
To try to win someone's romantic interest through persistent attention or flattery.
バーで女性を口説く。
To hit on a woman at a bar.
彼は口説くのが上手い。
He's good at hitting on people.
半年かけて彼女を口説き落とした。
He spent half a year wooing her and finally won her over.
Both senses share the nuance of persistent, repeated attempts to win someone over. Sense 2 is especially common in casual conversation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 口説き落とす — to successfully woo/persuade (implies success after effort)
- 口説き文句 — pickup line, sweet talk
- 何度も口説く — to persuade/court repeatedly
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 説得する — to persuade (more neutral and formal)
- ナンパする — to pick up, to hit on (more casual, street-oriented)