Japanese meaning of 片言隻語
Reading:
へんげんせきご (hengen sekigo)
English Translation:
A few words; brief remark
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
A few words; brief, fragmentary remarks.
Cultural Context:
Often used in literature to describe minimal speech, in interviews to denote brevity, or in legal contexts to note partial statements.
ほんの少しの言葉や断片的な発言。
文学での寡黙な人物描写、インタビューでの簡潔さの強調、法律文書での一部発言の記録に用いられる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase for a few brief words; often with “を述べる.”
Trap for English Speakers
May be misunderstood as meaning fragmented speech only.
Example
Basic Example
片言隻語でも気持ちは伝わる。
Even a few words can convey feelings.
Applied Example
「…がんばれよ。」その片言隻語だけで胸が熱くなった。
…Do your best. Just those few words were enough to make my chest tighten with emotion.