Translation guide
A small, harmless lie, often told to avoid hurting feelings or to get out of trouble. In Japanese, the concept is expressed through words for 'lie' softened by context, or specific phrases for white lies.
To tell a minor untruth, often to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to escape a minor obligation.
The general word for 'lie'. Can be used for fibs when context makes it clear it's not serious. Often used with softening phrases.
Literally 'cute lie', used for a harmless or endearing fib, like telling a child about Santa Claus.
Tell a fib to a child.
A 'white lie' or expedient lie, often used in the set phrase 嘘も方便 (sometimes a lie is expedient). More formal/literary.
The action of telling a small lie.
The standard verb phrase for 'to tell a lie'. Can be softened with adverbs like ちょっと (a little).
There is no exact single-word equivalent for 'fib' in Japanese. Using 嘘 (うそ) is fine, but it covers all lies from white lies to serious deceptions. To emphasize the lightness, add words like 小さな (small) or 可愛い (cute).
I told a little fib.
That's just a fib.
嘘も方便だ。
Sometimes a fib is necessary.
He often tells fibs.
Similar to 嘘をつく, but slightly more direct ('say a lie').
Don't tell fibs.