刺とげのある言こと葉ば

Meanings

1

expression, noun

stinging words; barbed remarks; harsh language

Describes speech that is intentionally hurtful, sarcastic, or critical, often implying hidden malice.

彼かの女じょは刺とげのある言こと葉ばで彼かれを批ひ判はんした。
She criticized him with stinging words.
会かい議ぎ中ちゅう、上じょう司しの刺とげのある言こと葉ばに皆みんなが黙だまり込こんだ。
During the meeting, everyone fell silent at the boss's barbed remarks.

Kanji

刺thorn, pierce, stab
言say, word
葉leaf, plane, lobe
有possess, have, exist

Related words

皮ひ肉にく
皮肉 is sarcasm or irony, often more indirect and witty, while 刺のある言葉 emphasizes the hurtful, sharp quality of the words themselves.
毒どく舌ぜつ
毒舌 refers to a sharp tongue or vitriolic speech, often as a personality trait, whereas 刺のある言葉 can be a single instance of cutting remarks.

Built from

棘とげ+言こと葉ば

Written forms

刺とげのある言こと葉ば
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
刺とげの有ある言こと葉ば
Variant spelling using 有る for ある; less common but still encountered.

Etymology

Literally 'words with thorns', a metaphorical expression where 刺 (thorn) represents the sharp, hurtful nature of the speech.