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口に掛ける (くちにかける) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, ichidan verb
to say ; to mention ; to bring up
Used when someone brings up a topic, mentions something, or says something, often with a nuance of casually or deliberately putting it into words. Common in phrases like 口に掛けるのもおこがましい (it's presumptuous to even mention it).
It's embarrassing to even say such a thing.
Written forms 口くち に 掛か ける
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
口くち にかける
Kana spelling of the particle に is common in everyday writing.
Similar words 口くち にする 口にする is more common and neutral for 'to say' or 'to put into words', while 口に掛ける can sound slightly more deliberate or literary.
言い う 言う is the basic verb for 'to say'; 口に掛ける is a more expressive, phrase-like alternative.
Etymology Compound of 口 (mouth) + に + 掛ける (to hang, to put on), literally 'to hang on the mouth', figuratively 'to put into words'.
