口先(くちさき)だけ

くちさきだけ
expression
all talk; lip service; empty words
communication
1. all talk; lip service; empty words
Describes someone who says things they don't mean or makes promises they won't keep. The words are superficial, coming only from the lips without genuine feeling or intent to act.
あの人(ひと)は口先(くちさき)だけだ。
That person is all talk.
口先(くちさき)だけの謝罪(しゃざい)では許(ゆる)せない。
I can't forgive an apology that's just lip service.
口先(くちさき)だけの約束(やくそく)ではなく、行動(こうどう)で示(しめ)してほしい。
I want you to show it through actions, not just empty promises.

口先(くちさき) literally means "the tip of the mouth" — the idea is that the words come only from the surface, without engaging the heart or the will to follow through. Always carries a negative, critical nuance.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 口(くち)ばかり: all mouth — very similar meaning, slightly more casual
  • 有言不実行(ゆうげんふじっこう): saying but not doing — a four-character compound with a more formal tone
  • 空約束(からやくそく): empty promise — focuses specifically on promises not kept

Related Words

Compare: 口(くち)だけ (all talk)
general
Added 2026.4.9 1:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
23000/23027_kuchisakidake