空そら念ねん仏ぶつ

noun

empty words; lip service; insincere chanting

Literally 'empty nembutsu', referring to chanting a Buddhist prayer without sincerity. Figuratively, it means saying something without real feeling or commitment, like paying lip service.

• 彼かれの謝しゃ罪ざいは空そら念ねん仏ぶつに過すぎなかった。

  His apology was nothing more than empty words.

• 口くち先さきだけの空そら念ねん仏ぶつでは誰だれも納なっ得とくしない。

  Mere lip service won't convince anyone.