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口のきけない (くちのきけない) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, i-adjective
unable to speak ; inarticulate
Describes a person who cannot speak, either due to a physical condition or extreme emotion. Often used in the phrase 口のきけない状態 (a state of being unable to speak).
Written forms 口くち のきけない
Standard spelling using きく in kana; the most neutral written form.
口くち の 利き けない
Uses 利く, which can imply effective functioning; less common but still seen.
口くち の 聞き けない
irregular kanji usage
Irregular kanji usage; 聞く normally means 'to hear', so this spelling is non-standard and may confuse learners.
profit, advantage, benefit
Similar words 口くち がきけない Similar meaning, but uses が instead of の; 口のきけない is more adjectival and often modifies a noun directly, while 口がきけない is a clause.
無む 口くち Means 'taciturn' or 'quiet by nature', not physically unable to speak. 口のきけない implies a lack of ability, while 無口 implies a lack of inclination.
Etymology Phrase composed of 口 (mouth) + の (possessive particle) + きけない (negative potential form of きく 'to function/be effective'). Literally 'mouth cannot function'.
