noun
flattery; smooth talk; clever words
Refers to words that are skillfully crafted to please or deceive, often with a negative connotation of insincerity. Commonly used in set phrases like 巧言令色.
彼の巧言に騙されないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to be deceived by his flattery.
巧言令色は信用できない。
Smooth talk and an ingratiating manner cannot be trusted.
Composed of 巧 (skillful, clever) and 言 (words, speech). The compound is of Chinese origin (kango) and has been used in Japanese since classical times, often appearing in Confucian contexts such as the Analects.