Translation guide
Describes a person who speaks in a harsh, critical, or cutting way. Japanese expresses this through adjectives, nouns, and set phrases that focus on the manner of speaking rather than a direct equivalent of 'tongue'.
Describe someone who habitually speaks harshly or critically.
Literally 'mouth is bad'. The most common and natural way to say someone has a sharp tongue. Used for people who are blunt, sarcastic, or harsh in their speech.
彼は口が悪いけど、本当は優しい。
He has a sharp tongue, but he's actually kind.
口が悪い人と話すのは疲れる。
Talking with someone who has a sharp tongue is exhausting.
Literally 'poison tongue'. A noun or na-adjective for a sharp, often witty but malicious tongue. Common in entertainment contexts for comedians or critics.
あのコメンテーターは毒舌で有名だ。
That commentator is famous for his sharp tongue.
毒舌を言うのはやめて。
Stop making those sharp-tongued remarks.
Literally 'dry/spicy mouth'. Often used for sharp criticism or reviews, like a 'harsh critic'. Can also describe food (spicy) or drinks (dry).
彼の辛口の批評は的を射ている。
His sharp-tongued criticism is spot on.
Literally 'words are harsh'. Describes someone whose way of speaking is strong, harsh, or cutting. More about the impact of the words than the personality.
彼女は言葉がきついから、誤解されやすい。
She has a sharp tongue, so she's easily misunderstood.
Refer to a specific harsh or cutting comment.
Can also refer to a specific sharp-tongued remark. Often used with verbs like 吐く (to spit out).
彼はまた毒舌を吐いた。
He made another sharp-tongued remark.
A sarcastic, snide, or mean-spirited remark. Often implies passive-aggressiveness or backhanded compliments.
Sarcasm or irony. A sharp tongue often uses sarcasm. Can be a personality trait or a specific comment.
Describe the act of speaking harshly or critically.
To speak bluntly, without mincing words. Often implies a lack of tact, which can be perceived as having a sharp tongue.
彼はいつもずけずけ言うから、敵が多い。
He always speaks with a sharp tongue, so he has many enemies.
To say harsh things. A straightforward way to describe the action of making cutting remarks.
彼女は時々きついことを言う。
She sometimes says things with a sharp tongue.
Do not translate 'sharp tongue' literally as 鋭い舌 (するどいした). This is not idiomatic in Japanese and will sound strange. Use the expressions above instead.
口が悪い is a general, everyday description of someone who speaks harshly. 毒舌 often carries a nuance of witty or entertaining sharpness, like a comedian or critic. 口が悪い can be negative, while 毒舌 can be admired in certain contexts.
彼の嫌味にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his sharp-tongued remarks.
Her sarcasm is always sharp.