うわ言ごと

う

わ

ご

と

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

noun

delirious talk; ravings

usually written using kana alone

Refers to incoherent speech produced during fever, illness, or delirium. Often used in medical or dramatic contexts.

高こう熱ねつでうわごとを言いっている。
He is talking deliriously from the high fever.
彼かの女じょはうわごとで誰だれかの名な前まえを繰くり返かえした。
She repeated someone's name in her delirium.

noun

nonsense; rubbish; silly talk

usually written using kana alone

Figurative extension: speech or writing that is absurd, meaningless, or wildly illogical, as if spoken in delirium.

そんなのうわごとだよ。誰だれも信しんじない。
That's nonsense. No one will believe it.
彼かれの説せつ明めいはまるでうわごとだった。
His explanation was complete rubbish.

See all 11 example sentences ›

Kanji

言say, word
譫delirious talk
囈foolish talk
語word, speech, language

Don't confuse with

寝ね言ごとN1
うわ言 is delirious muttering caused by fever or illness, whereas 寝言 is ordinary talking during normal sleep.

Written forms

うわ言ごとUsage28%
Common kanji-kana mixed spelling. The word is usually written in kana, but this form is widely recognized.
うわごとUsage45%
Kana spelling is the most common and recommended for learners.
譫言うわごとUsage26%
Rare kanji form using 譫 (delirium). Not commonly used.
囈言うわごとUsage1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 囈 (talk in sleep). Marked as rarely used.
囈語うわごと
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 囈 (talk in sleep). Marked as rarely used.

Etymology

Compound of うわ (on the surface, light, or possibly from 上) and 言 (こと, word/speech). The exact derivation is uncertain, but it likely refers to speech that floats up unconsciously.