口先(くちさき)

くちさき
noun
lip service, mere words
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)

CONTRAST:

  • 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)
general
Added 2026.3.14 13:25 · Revised 2026.4.20 13:12
16500/16728_kuchisaki