口くち三味線じゃみせん

also: くちざみせん

く

ち

じゃ

み

せ

ん

Meanings

1

noun

humming a shamisen tune; vocal imitation of shamisen

Refers to imitating the sound of a shamisen with one's mouth, often in a lively or rhythmic way. Can be used literally or figuratively.

彼かれは口くち三味線じゃみせんで祭まつりの曲きょくを真似まねた。

He imitated a festival tune by humming it like a shamisen.

2

noun

smooth talk; flattery; cajolery

Figurative use: describing someone's speech as being as smooth and pleasing as a shamisen melody, often with a nuance of insincere or manipulative charm.

彼かれの口くち三味線じゃみせんに乗のせられて、つい契けい約やくしてしまった。
I was taken in by his smooth talk and ended up signing the contract.

Kanji

口mouth
三three
味flavor, taste
線line, track

Related words

三味線しゃみせん
The actual three-stringed instrument. 口三味線 is the vocal imitation of its sound or, figuratively, smooth talk.
口くち車ぐるま
Also means smooth talk or flattery, but 口車 often implies more deliberate deception, while 口三味線 emphasizes the pleasant, musical quality of the speech.

Built from

口くち+三味線しゃみせん

Written forms

口三味線
- くちじゃみせん
  Standard kanji spelling. The reading くちじゃみせん is the most common pronunciation.
- くちざみせん
  Alternate reading. くちざみせん is less common but still encountered.
くちざみせん

Etymology

Compound of 口 (mouth) and 三味線 (shamisen). Literally 'mouth shamisen', referring to vocal imitation of the instrument, and by extension, smooth or flattering talk.