noun
words of misery or anxiety
Archaic term for speech expressing one's own misery or anxious state. Not used in modern Japanese.
古文では「わびこと」は、心細さや嘆きを表す言葉を指した。
In classical texts, わびこと referred to words expressing helplessness or lament.
noun
words of refusal or decline
Archaic term for language used when turning down an offer or request. Obsolete.
「わびこと」には、遠慮して断る際の言葉という古い用法もある。
わびこと also had an old usage referring to words used when politely declining something.
noun
words of appeal or entreaty
Archaic term for language used when making an appeal or petition. Obsolete.
古い文献では、願い事をするときの言葉も「わびこと」と呼ばれた。
In old documents, words used when making a request were also called わびこと.
Compound of 侘び (wabi, 'apology' or 'wretchedness') + 言 (koto, 'word'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is now obsolete.