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言葉少な (ことばずくな) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

言こと葉ば少ずくな

こ

と

ば

ず

く

な

Meanings

1

na-adjective

laconic; of few words; reticent

Describes a person who speaks very little, often implying a reserved or quiet nature. Can be used as a な-adjective or adverbial form.

彼かれは言こと葉ば少ずくなにうなずいた。
He nodded laconically.
言こと葉ば少ずくなな人ひとだけど、心こころは温あたたかい。

He's a man of few words, but he has a warm heart.

Written forms

言葉少なUsage100%
- ことばずくな
  Standard kanji spelling. The reading ことばずくな is the most common modern pronunciation.
- ことばすくな
- ことばずけな
  out-dated reading
ことばすくな
ことばずけな
out-dated reading

Kanji

言say, word
葉leaf, plane, lobe
少few, little

Similar words

無む口くち
無口 is a more common and neutral word for 'taciturn' or 'silent', while 言葉少な has a slightly literary or descriptive feel.
寡か黙もく
寡黙 is a more formal or literary term for 'reticent', often used in written language.

Etymology

Compound of 言葉 (kotoba, 'words') + 少な (sukuna, an old form of 少ない, 'few'). The reading ずくな is a euphonic change from すくな.