Proverb / Kotowaza
悪口雑言
Hurling a variety of insults and verbal abuse at someone without restraint.
slander and miscellaneous words
Quick Answer
Hurling a variety of insults and verbal abuse at someone without restraint.
- Literal Image
- slander and miscellaneous words
- How to Use It
- Used to describe intense verbal attacks, angry outbursts, or malicious comments on public forums and social media.
Meaning
To vent frustration by speaking ill of someone in many different ways. It describes a state of excessive verbal abuse where a person says whatever malicious things come to mind without holding back.
Literal Image
slander and miscellaneous words
How to Use It
Used to describe intense verbal attacks, angry outbursts, or malicious comments on public forums and social media.
Tone
Highly negative and critical; used to describe harsh or offensive behavior.
Examples
彼は怒りに任せて、相手に悪口雑言を浴びせた。
He showered his opponent with a barrage of insults, letting his anger take over.
ネットの掲示板が、特定の個人への悪口雑言で溢れている。
Internet message boards are overflowing with verbal abuse directed at specific individuals.
悪口雑言を並べ立てても、何の解決にもならない。
Ranting and hurling insults won't solve anything.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the individual kanji are basic, this four-character idiom is more literary and specific to describing intense verbal conflict.
悪口
あっこう / akkou
slander, insult
雑言
ぞうごん / zougon
miscellaneous words, irresponsible complaints
浴びせる
あびせる / abiseru
to shower with, to heap upon
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a descriptive term for abuse; do not use it to refer to your own polite criticism.
Misread Risk
This idiom refers specifically to verbal abuse and should not be used for physical attacks or general bad luck.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The term is a combination of 'akkou' (悪口), meaning to slander or speak ill of others, and 'zougon' (雑言), which refers to irresponsible or random complaints and insults. Together, they emphasize a state of excessive and unrestrained verbal abuse.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.