Talk and secrets
Idioms, Stage 1chunk 11 of 21What people are like
The kuchi set for how someone talks: all talk, keeps secrets, sharp-tongued, blabs, smooth talker.
- kuchi dakeall talk, no actionliterally “only the mouth”
- kuchi ga kataican keep a secret, discreetliterally “the mouth is hard”
- kuchi ga waruisharp-tongued, blunt to the point of rudeliterally “the mouth is bad”
- kuchi ga karuican't keep a secretliterally “the mouth is light”
- kuchi ga umaismooth-talking, good with words (often of flattery or sales talk)literally “the mouth is skilful”
Mix-ups kuchi ga katai (discreet) and kuchi ga karui (blabs) differ by one sound. kuchi ga warui (harsh) contrasts with kuchi ga umai (smooth). kuchi ni au (to one's taste) is in Tastes and likeness.
kuchi dake
polite kuchi dake desu
“only the mouth”
all talk, no action
In English: all talk
About someone who promises or boasts and never follows through, like a friend who always says he'll quit smoking: aitsu, kuchi dake da kara. Kuchi bakkari means the same, and kuchi dake ja nai (it's not just talk) defends someone.
Also kuchi bakkari, kuchisaki dake.
aitsu, kuchi dake da kara.
He's all talk.
あいつ、口だけだから。
ano hito, kuchi dake desu kara ne.
He's all talk, you know.
あの人、口だけですからね。
Written 口だけ · くちだけHeard 58× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitlesLearn alongside ooguchi o tataku (Stage 4)Main list dake (Stage 2), bakkari (Stage 2)
kuchi ga katai
polite kuchi ga katai desu
“the mouth is hard”
can keep a secret, discreet
Reassurance when a secret is shared: kare wa kuchi ga katai kara daijoubu, or about yourself, watashi, kuchi katai kara. The pair to kuchi ga karui (can't keep a secret).
Opposite: kuchi ga karui (can't keep a secret).
daijoubu, watashi, kuchi katai kara.
Don't worry, I can keep a secret.
大丈夫、私、口堅いから。
daijoubu desu, watashi, kuchi wa katai desu kara.
Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
大丈夫です、私、口は堅いですから。
Written 口が堅い · くちがかたいHeard 40× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitlesLearn alongside kuchi ga karui, koko dake no hanashi (Stage 3), kuchi ga suberu (Stage 3), shira o kiru (Stage 3), hakaba made motte iku (Stage 3)Main list daijoubu (Stage 1), -kara (Stage 1)
kuchi ga warui
polite kuchi ga warui desu
“the mouth is bad”
sharp-tongued, blunt to the point of rude
In English: have a sharp tongue
About how someone talks, not who they are, often defended in the same breath: kuchi wa warui kedo ne wa ii. Also an apology for your own bluntness: kuchi ga warukute gomen. Not kuchi ga karui (can't keep a secret).
gomen, kuchi ga warukute.
Sorry, I've got a sharp tongue.
ごめん、口が悪くて。
sumimasen, kuchi ga warukute.
Sorry, I can be blunt.
すみません、口が悪くて。
Written 口が悪い · くちがわるいHeard 32× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitlesLearn alongside kechi o tsukeru (Stage 4), hitokoto ooi (Stage 4)Main list warui (Stage 1), -kute / -de (Stage 1), gomen (Stage 1)
kuchi ga karui
polite kuchi ga karui desu
“the mouth is light”
can't keep a secret
In English: have a big mouth
A warning not to tell someone something, or a jab after a secret got out: ano ko, kuchi karui kara. The pair to kuchi ga katai; not kuchi ga warui (sharp-tongued).
Opposite: kuchi ga katai (can keep a secret).
ano ko, kuchi karui kara iwanai hou ga ii yo.
Better not tell her, she can't keep a secret.
あの子、口軽いから言わない方がいいよ。
ano hito wa kuchi ga karui node, iwanai hou ga ii desu yo.
She can't keep a secret, so better not tell her.
あの人は口が軽いので、言わない方がいいですよ。
Written 口が軽い · くちがかるいHeard 7× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitlesLearn alongside kuchi ga katai, koko dake no hanashi (Stage 3), kuchi ga suberu (Stage 3), shira o kiru (Stage 3), hakaba made motte iku (Stage 3)Main list -nai hou ga ii (Stage 4), iu (Stage 2)
kuchi ga umai
polite kuchi ga umai desu
“the mouth is skilful”
smooth-talking, good with words (often of flattery or sales talk)
A warning about a salesperson or charmer who talks people round (kuchi ga umai kara ki o tsukete), or a laughing reply to a compliment: mata, kuchi ga umai n da kara. Not umai alone (tasty, good at).
Also kuchi ga jouzu; written 口が上手い too. To someone's face in polite speech: mata, ojouzu desu ne / okuchi ga ojouzu desu ne.
kare, kuchi ga umai kara ki o tsukete.
He's a smooth talker, so watch out.
彼、口がうまいから気をつけて。
kare wa kuchi ga umai node, ki o tsukete kudasai ne.
He's a smooth talker, so do be careful.
彼は口がうまいので、気をつけてくださいね。
Written 口がうまい · くちがうまいHeard 19× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitlesMain list ki o tsukete (Stage 1), -kara (Stage 1), jouzu (Stage 3)