口火(くちび)

くちび
noun
fuse; spark; opening shot; trigger
1. fuse; match; priming fire
Originally, the small fire used to ignite a cannon or firearm. The literal ignition source.
大砲(たいほう)の口火(くちび)を切(き)る。
To light the fuse of a cannon.
2. opening shot; trigger; spark that starts something
Figuratively, the initial action or remark that triggers a larger event, discussion, or movement.
議論(ぎろん)の口火(くちび)を切(き)った。
He opened the discussion.
その事件(じけん)が口火(くちび)となって、全国的(ぜんこくてき)な抗議(こうぎ)運動(うんどう)が始(はじ)まった。
That incident was the spark that started a nationwide protest movement.
彼女(かのじょ)が口火(くちび)を切(き)ったことで、他(ほか)の社員(しゃいん)も不満(ふまん)を口(くち)にし始(はじ)めた。
After she spoke up first, other employees also began voicing their complaints.

Almost always used in the set phrase 口火(くちび)を切(き)る (to cut the fuse → to be the first to speak/act, to kick things off). The literal meaning (sense 1) is now rare; the figurative sense dominates modern usage. Composed of 口(くち) (mouth/opening) + 火(び) (fire).

Common patterns

  • 口火(くちび)を切(き)る: to open (a discussion); to fire the first shot; to be the first to act
  • 口火(くちび)となる: to serve as the trigger/spark for something

Similar words

  • 皮切(かわき)り: the start; the beginning — similar to 口火(くちび) but more neutral; often used in ～を皮切(かわき)りに (starting with...)
  • きっかけ: trigger; catalyst — the most common neutral word for what prompts something to happen
  • 発端(ほったん): origin; beginning — focuses on the starting point of a series of events
  • 導火線(どうかせん): fuse (literal) — the actual physical fuse of explosives; also used figuratively

Related Words

Compare: 皮切(かわき)り (the start)
Compare: きっかけ (trigger)
Compare: 発端(ほったん) (origin)
general
Added 2026.5.8 1:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
27000/27223_kuchibi