1.
boasting; bragging; self-promotional claims; sales pitch
Self-promoting talk or written claims about how good something is. Originally referred to the description of a medicine's efficacy on its packaging, and by extension came to mean exaggerated claims or boasting in general. Often used dismissively.
能書きはいいから、早くやれ。
Enough talk — just get on with it.
能書きばかり並べても信用されない。
Nobody will trust you if all you do is boast.
商品の能書きを読んでも、本当に効果があるかは分からない。
Even if you read the product claims, you can't tell if it actually works.
Originally referred to the printed description of a medicine's ingredients and efficacy (能書き = list of capabilities/effects). Over time, the meaning shifted to 'self-promotional talk' or 'boasting,' with a dismissive or skeptical nuance. Almost always used negatively.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 能書きを並べる: to rattle off claims; to boast
- 能書きを垂れる: to spout off boasts (blunt/rough)
- 能書きはいい: enough with the talk (dismissive)
- 能書きばかり: nothing but boasting
USAGE:
The phrase 能書きはいいから is a common way to tell someone to stop talking and start doing. The word carries an inherently skeptical tone — the speaker implies the claims are exaggerated or empty.
ETYMOLOGY:
From 能書 (a document listing the properties and efficacy of medicine) + き (a suffix). The original neutral meaning of 'product description' has largely given way to the negative sense of 'empty boasting.'