Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Idioms using the word "口 (mouth)"

Kuchiga 軽いkarui(a loose-lipped)
Kuchiga 堅いwarui (discreet)
Kuchiga 悪いwarui (a foul mouth)
Kuchiga うまいumai(so smooth)
Kuchiwo 利くkiku(to talk)

慣用句(idiom) are expressions that combine two or more words to create a different meaning.

The meaning is completely different from the original words, so it is useful to know idioms. 

Idioms often use words related to the body, such as “hand (te)” and “foot (ashi).” This month, let's learn some useful idioms that use the word “mouth(kuchi).”

 

Kuchiga 軽いkarui(karui → light or easy) - a loose-lipped

The meaning of kuchi ga karui is o easily tell others things that should not be told or said.

  • Let's Try It Out!
    ~You are in the middle of a discreet conversation.~
    A:C san wa Kuchi ga karuikara, C san ni wa iwanaide kudasai. (Mr. C is a loose-lipped person, so please don't tell Mr. C what I said. ).
    B:Wakarimashita. Ki wo tsukemasu. (Got it. I'll be careful).

 

Kuchiga 堅いkatai (katai → tight or hard) - discreet

Kuchi ga katai means not telling others secrets or things that should not be said.

  • Let's Try It Out!
    A: Soudan suru nara, C san ga iito omoimasuyo(If you want to talk to someone, I think Mr. C is a good choice). C san wa kuchi ga kataikara(He is discreet).
    B: Wakarimashita. Sou shimasu, (Okay, I will do that).

 

Kuchiga  悪いwarui (warui → bad)- a foul mouth

Kuchi ga warui means using rough language or saying things that make the other person uncomfortable.

  • Let's Try It Out!
    A: C san ni chotto iyana koto wo iwaretandayone(Mr. C said something unpleasant to me).
    B: C san wa sukoshi Kuchi ga waruiyone(He has a bit of a foul mouth).Warui hito ja nainndakedo(He's not a bad person, though)...

 

Kuchiga うまいumai (umai → skillful) - so smooth

Kuchi ga umai means being able to make others happy, to get one's way, or to convince others just by using words.

  • Let's Try It Out!
    ~A asks B, who went to buy a T-shirt.~
    A: Doushite ni mai kattano? (Why did you buy two T-shirts?)
    B: Dochira wo kauka mayotteitara, tenninnsann no Kuchi ga umakute, nimai tomo katchatta (I was torn between which one to buy, but the salesperson was so smooth (kuchi ga umai) that I ended up buying both).

 

Kuchiwo利くkiku (kiku → talk or speak) - to talk

The meaning of kuchi wo kiku is to talk, or to be able to talk. Another meaning is to be introduced to someone necessary for work.

  • Let's Try It Out!
    ~Your friend is very upset.~
    A:Doushite sonnani okotteiruno? (Why you are so upset?)
    B:Kareshi to kenka shita(I had a fight with my boyfriend). Mou, zettai ni Kuchi wo kikanai! (I will never talk to him again!).