口 先(くちさき)

くちさき

noun

lip service, mere words

communication

1. lip service, mere words, empty talk

Words that are not backed by genuine feeling or action. Implies insincerity or superficiality.

口先(くちさき)だけの約束(やくそく)。

A promise that is nothing but empty words.

口先(くちさき)ばかりで行動(こうどう)が伴(ともな)わない。

All talk and no action.

口先(くちさき)だけの謝罪(しゃざい)では信用(しんよう)できない。

An apology that's just lip service can't be trusted.

2. tip of the tongue, way of speaking

The literal tip of the lips/tongue, or one's manner of speaking.

口先(くちさき)がうまい人(ひと)だ。

He has a smooth way of talking.

口先(くちさき)で人(ひと)をだます。

To deceive people with smooth talk.

口先(くちさき)の器用(きよう)さだけでは長(なが)く通用(つうよう)しない。

Smooth talking alone won't get you far in the long run.

口先(くちさき) literally means "tip of the mouth/lips" and is used almost exclusively with negative connotations — implying insincerity, empty words, or manipulation.

SENSE 1 — LIP SERVICE:

口先(くちさき)だけの約束(やくそく): a promise that's just empty words
口先(くちさき)ばかりで行動(こうどう)が伴(ともな)わない: all talk and no action
口先(くちさき)だけの謝罪(しゃざい): an insincere apology

SENSE 2 — SMOOTH TALK:

口先(くちさき)がうまい: smooth-talking, glib
口先(くちさき)で人(ひと)をだます: to deceive people with words
口先(くちさき)の器用(きよう)さ: verbal dexterity (negative nuance)

Similar words

口先(くちさき): words without substance (negative)
本音(ほんね): true feelings, genuine words
有言実行(ゆうげんじっこう): putting words into action

Related Words

Synonym: 舌先(したさき) (glib talk)

Compare: 本音(ほんね) (true feelings)

Related: 有言実行(ゆうげんじっこう) (putting words into action)

general

Added 2026.3.14 13:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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