1.
nonsense; idle talk; jest
Words spoken in jest or without serious intent. Can refer to playful banter, frivolous remarks, or things not worth taking seriously.
戯言はやめろ。
Stop talking nonsense.
そんな戯言を言っている場合ではない。
This is no time to be spouting nonsense.
彼の戯言を真に受けてはいけないよ。
You shouldn't take his idle talk seriously.
Refers to speech that lacks substance or seriousness. The tone can range from lighthearted jest to dismissive contempt depending on context. When used about one's own words, it can function as self-deprecating modesty; when directed at others, it can be quite sharp.
READINGS:
This word has multiple readings that carry different nuances:
- ざれごと: the most common reading in modern usage, slightly literary
- たわごと: also very common, tends to emphasize foolishness or absurdity
- ぎげん: a rare Sino-Japanese reading, mostly seen in older texts
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 戯言を言う: to talk nonsense
- 戯言を並べる: to reel off nonsense
- 戯言にすぎない: to be nothing but idle talk
SIMILAR WORDS:
- たわごと: nonsense — same kanji (戯言), emphasizes silliness and absurdity more strongly
- 冗談: joke — lighter and more playful, less dismissive
- 馬鹿げた話: ridiculous talk — blunter and more direct