早 口 言 葉(はやくちことば)

はやくちことば

noun

tongue twister

1. tongue twister

A phrase or sentence that is difficult to say quickly because of similar or tricky sound combinations, used as a word game or pronunciation exercise.

早口言葉(はやくちことば)に挑戦(ちょうせん)する。

To try a tongue twister.

Japanese tongue twisters are good pronunciation practice.

子(こ)どもたちが早口言葉(はやくちことば)を言(い)い合(あ)って笑(わら)っていた。

The children were saying tongue twisters to each other and laughing.

A compound of 早口(はやくち) (fast talking) and 言葉(ことば) (words). A popular word game in Japan, especially among children. Famous Japanese tongue twisters include 「生麦(なまむぎ)生米(なまごめ)生卵(なまたまご)」 (raw barley, raw rice, raw egg) and 「東京(とうきょう)特許(とっきょ)許可局(きょかきょく)」 (Tokyo Patent Approval Office).

早口(はやくち): fast talking — the speed of speech itself, not the word game
言葉遊(ことばあそ)び: wordplay — a broader category that includes tongue twisters, puns, and riddles

Related Words

general

Added 2026.4.28 23:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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