noun
remarks; comments; way of talking
Refers to what someone says or the manner in which they say it, often with a critical or evaluative nuance.
彼の言い草には腹が立った。
I was offended by his remarks.
そんな言い草はないだろう。
That's a terrible thing to say.
noun
Used when someone's words are perceived as a poor excuse or self-justification.
遅刻の言い草が「電車が混んでいた」だけとは。
His only excuse for being late was that the train was crowded.
noun
topic of conversation
Rare usage; refers to the subject matter being discussed.
その言い草はもう聞き飽きた。
I'm tired of hearing about that topic.
Search-only kanji form; not commonly used.
Abbreviated kanji spelling.
Compound of 言い (continuative form of 言う 'to say') and 草 (originally 'grass', here used in the sense of 'kind' or 'material'). The exact derivation is uncertain, but it likely developed from the idea of 'the stuff of what is said'.