Proverb / Kotowaza
口は災いのもと
Careless words can lead to great misfortune for the speaker.
The mouth is the source of disaster
Quick Answer
Careless words can lead to great misfortune for the speaker.
- Literal Image
- The mouth is the source of disaster
- Closest Equivalent
- Out of the mouth comes evil.
- How to Use It
- Used to describe situations where someone’s own words have caused them trouble, or as a warning to someone who is talking too much or speaking recklessly.
Meaning
A single careless remark or slip of the tongue can cause unexpected trouble, conflict, or disaster for the person who spoke it. It serves as a strong warning to be cautious and mindful of one's speech to avoid self-inflicted harm.
Literal Image
The mouth is the source of disaster
Equivalent Proverbs
Out of the mouth comes evil.
Focuses on the negative outcomes of speech.
Better the foot slip than the tongue.
Suggests that a physical slip is less damaging than a verbal one.
A slip of the tongue is worse than a slip of the foot.
Emphasizes the lasting damage of words.
How to Use It
Used to describe situations where someone’s own words have caused them trouble, or as a warning to someone who is talking too much or speaking recklessly.
Tone
A cautionary and moralizing tone used to warn against the dangers of loose speech.
Examples
同僚の悪口を本人に聞かれてしまい、気まずい思いをした。まさに口は災いの元だ。
I felt so awkward when my colleague overheard me badmouthing them. The mouth truly is the source of disaster.
余計な一言を付け加えたせいで交渉が決裂してしまった。口は災いの元とはよく言ったものだ。
The negotiations fell through because I added one unnecessary comment. It's just as they say: the mouth is the source of disaster.
上司の悪口をうっかり本人に聞こえるように言ってしまった。「口は禍の元」とはまさにこのことだ。
I accidentally badmouthed my boss right where they could hear me. That's exactly what 'the mouth is the gate of disaster' means.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary consists of simple words like 'mouth' and 'origin', but the concept of 'wazawai' (disaster) and the idiomatic structure make it suitable for intermediate learners.
口
くち / kuchi
mouth; speech
災い
わざわい / wazawai
disaster; misfortune; calamity
元
もと / moto
source; origin; root
Usage Profile
Usage note: It can sound like a direct rebuke if said to someone who has already made a mistake.
Misread Risk
While 'wazawai' is a strong word for disaster, in this proverb it can refer to any negative consequence, from social awkwardness to serious trouble.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This is an ancient lesson comparing the consequences of one's words to disasters like fire or disease. An alternative form is '口は禍（わざわい）の門（もん）' (The mouth is the gate of disaster), suggesting the mouth is the entrance through which misfortune enters or the exit from which it emerges.
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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.