屁理屈(へりくつ)

へりくつ
noun
quibble; sophistry; specious argument
informalcommunication
1. quibble; sophistry; specious argument
A far-fetched or unreasonable argument used to justify oneself or win a debate unfairly. Carries a strongly negative nuance. Composed of 屁 (fart) + 理屈 (logic), literally 'fart logic' — logic that stinks.
屁理屈(へりくつ)を言(い)うな。
Don't make excuses.
彼(かれ)はいつも屁理屈(へりくつ)をこねて反論(はんろん)する。
He always quibbles and argues back.
そんな屁理屈(へりくつ)が通(とお)ると思(おも)っているのか。
Do you really think that kind of sophistry will fly?

Usage

屁理屈(へりくつ) is always negative. It describes arguments that are technically structured but fundamentally unreasonable or self-serving. Common verbs used with it include 言(い)う (to say), こねる (to knead — i.e., to concoct), and 並(なら)べる (to line up).

Common collocations

  • 屁理屈(へりくつ)を言(い)う (to make excuses, to quibble)
  • 屁理屈(へりくつ)をこねる (to concoct specious arguments)
  • 屁理屈(へりくつ)を並(なら)べる (to rattle off sophistry)

Similar words

理屈(りくつ) is neutral and means 'logic' or 'reasoning,' while 屁理屈(へりくつ) specifically implies the reasoning is flawed and self-serving.

Related Words

Related: 理屈(りくつ) (logic, reasoning (neutral))
Related: 言(い)い訳(わけ) (excuse)
Compare: 詭弁(きべん) (sophistry)
general
Added 2026.3.7 19:03 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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