口く説どく

く

ど

く

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

Used when persistently trying to convince someone to do something, often through repeated talking. Can be neutral or slightly negative (pestering).

友とも達だちを口く説どいて一いっ緒しょに旅りょ行こうに行いくことにした。
I persuaded my friend to go on a trip together.

彼かれは上じょう司しを口く説どいて企き画かくを通とおした。

He coaxed his boss into approving the project.

2

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

hit on; make a pass at; woo

Romantic or sexual pursuit. Ranges from light flirting to serious courtship. Often used in casual contexts.

彼かれはパーティーで女おんなの子こを口く説どいていた。
He was hitting on a girl at the party.
口く説どくのが下手へたで、なかなか彼かの女じょができない。
I'm bad at making advances, so I can't get a girlfriend.

Written forms

口く説どくUsage88%
Standard kanji spelling for both senses.
くどくUsage12%
Kana spelling is common in casual writing, especially for the romantic sense.

Kanji

口mouth
説opinion, theory, explanation

Similar words

説せっ得とくする
More formal and neutral 'persuade', often through logical argument, while 口説く implies persistent, sometimes emotional urging.
誘さそう
Means 'invite' or 'tempt', less persistent than 口説く; 口説く often involves repeated attempts.
ナンパする
Specifically means to pick up or hit on strangers, usually in public places; 口説く is broader and can include serious courtship.

Etymology

The kanji 口 (mouth) and 説 (explain, persuade) suggest 'persuading by talking'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since at least the Edo period.