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.
あの人は口先だけだ。
That person is all talk.
口先だけの謝罪では許せない。
I can't forgive an apology that's just lip service.
口先だけの約束ではなく、行動で示してほしい。
I want you to show it through actions, not just empty promises.
口先 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:
- 口先だけの約束: empty promise
- 口先だけの謝罪: insincere apology
- 口先だけの優しさ: superficial kindness
- 口先だけの人: person who is all talk
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 口ばかり: all mouth — very similar meaning, slightly more casual
- 有言不実行: saying but not doing — a four-character compound with a more formal tone
- 空約束: empty promise — focuses specifically on promises not kept