Yojijukugo
Japanese meaning of 片言隻語
Reading:
Voice sample:
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.
日本語で読む
ほんの少しの言葉や断片的な発言。
Cultural Context:
Often used in literature to describe minimal speech, in interviews to denote brevity, or in legal contexts to note partial statements.
日本語で読む
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.”
日本語で読む
• 短く簡潔な言葉を表し、「〜を述べる」と組み合わせることが多い。
Trap for English Speakers
May be misunderstood as meaning fragmented speech only.
日本語で読む
途切れた話し方のみを指すと誤解されることがある。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
片言隻語でも気持ちは伝わる。
Even a few words can convey feelings.
Example 2Applied 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.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「片言隻語」 mean?