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売り言葉 (うりことば) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

売うり言こと葉ば

う

り

こ

と

ば

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

fighting words; inflammatory words; provocative remark

Often used in the set phrase 売り言葉に買い言葉 (one harsh word leads to another). Refers to words that provoke a fight or argument.

See also: 売り言葉に買い言葉

彼かれの売うり言こと葉ばに、ついカッとなって

しまっ

た

。

I lost my temper at his provocative words.

売うり言こと葉ばに買かい言こと葉ばで、けんかになってしまった。

One harsh word led to another, and we ended up fighting.

Expressions

売うり言こと葉ばに買かい言こと葉ばtit for tat; verbal retaliation

Kanji

売sell
言say, word
葉leaf, plane, lobe

Related words

買かい言こと葉ば
The retort or comeback to 売り言葉; used in the phrase 売り言葉に買い言葉.

Built from

売うる+言こと葉ば

Written forms

売うり言こと葉ばUsage89%
Standard kanji spelling.
売うりことばUsage9%
search-only kanji form
Search-only form; not a standard spelling.
売うり言こと葉ばUsage3%
search-only kanji form
Search-only form; not a standard spelling.

Etymology

Compound of 売り (uri, 'selling') + 言葉 (kotoba, 'words'). The exact derivation is uncertain, but it likely comes from the idea of 'offering' or 'throwing out' words that provoke a response.