口(くち)が悪(わる)い

くちがわるい

expression

sharp-tongued; blunt in speech

1. sharp-tongued; foul-mouthed; blunt in what one says

Describes someone whose way of speaking is harsh or cutting, whatever they may actually mean. Literally 'one's mouth is bad.' It refers to manner rather than malice, and is often paired with a remark that the person is kind underneath.

兄(あに)は口(くち)が悪(わる)い。

My older brother is sharp-tongued.

口(くち)が悪(わる)いけれど、本当(ほんとう)は優(やさ)しい人(ひと)だ。

He talks harshly, but he's really a kind person.

口(くち)が悪(わる)いのは直(なお)したほうがいいと注意(ちゅうい)された。

I was told I'd better do something about how blunt I am.

この監督(かんとく)は口(くち)が悪(わる)いことで有名(ゆうめい)だが、選手(せんしゅ)からの信頼(しんらい)は厚(あつ)い。

This coach is famous for his sharp tongue, but the players trust him deeply.

Structure: 口(くち) (mouth, speech) + が + 悪(わる)い (bad).

Common patterns

口(くち)が悪(わる)い人(ひと): a sharp-tongued person
口(くち)が悪(わる)いけど悪気(わるぎ)はない: blunt, but means no harm (a very common defense)
口(くち)の悪(わる)い友人(ゆうじん): a friend with a sharp tongue (attributive form uses の)

Similar words

毒舌(どくぜつ): caustic wit — a noun; wittier and often admired, as with a comedian
失礼(しつれい): rude — judges the act as improper, while 口(くち)が悪(わる)い describes a habitual style
口(くち)が軽(かる)い: unable to keep a secret — about discretion, not harshness

Related Words

Compare: 毒舌(どくぜつ) (caustic wit)

Compare: 失礼(しつれい) (rude)

Compare: 口(くち)が軽(かる)い (unable to keep a secret)

general

Added 2026.8.12 12:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

30500/30586_kuchigawarui