口(くち)を利(き)く

くちをきく
expression
to speak; to put in a good word
communication
1. to speak; to talk; to utter words
To speak or talk. Often used in negative contexts to describe someone being silent, sulking, or refusing to communicate.
彼(かれ)はまだ口(くち)を利(き)かない。
He still isn't speaking.
喧嘩(けんか)して一週間(いっしゅうかん)口(くち)を利(き)かなかった。
We had a fight and didn't speak for a week.
赤(あか)ちゃんがやっと口(くち)を利(き)くようになった。
The baby has finally started to talk.
2. to put in a good word; to use one's influence; to act as intermediary
To use personal connections or influence to help someone, often by speaking to the right person on their behalf.
先輩(せんぱい)に口(くち)を利(き)いてもらった。
My senior put in a good word for me.
部長(ぶちょう)に口(くち)を利(き)いて異動(いどう)を取(と)り消(け)してもらった。
I had the department head put in a word and got my transfer cancelled.
知(し)り合(あ)いに口(くち)を利(き)いてもらって、やっと予約(よやく)が取(と)れた。
An acquaintance pulled some strings for me, and I was finally able to get a reservation.

Usage

Sense 1 is very commonly used in the negative (口(くち)を利(き)かない — to not speak) to describe someone giving the silent treatment or a child not yet speaking. Sense 2 implies using personal connections or influence to help someone — a culturally significant concept in Japan.

Note: Do not confuse the kanji 利(き)く in this expression with 聞(き)く (to hear/ask). The 利(き)く here means "to be effective" or "to function."

Similar words

  • 話(はな)す: to speak, to talk — general verb for speaking
  • 取(と)り次(つ)ぐ: to relay, to act as intermediary — more formal mediation

Related Words

Compare: 話(はな)す (to speak, to talk)
general
Added 2026.3.17 17:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17000/17363_kuchiwokiku