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.
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.
