brief remark; few words
Formal or literary noun for a short statement or a small number of words. Often used in expressions like 片言もない (not a single word).
He didn't utter a single word at the meeting.
one side of an argument; ex-parte statement
Used in formal or legal contexts to refer to hearing only one side of a matter, or a statement made by one party without the other present.
It is dangerous to judge based on only one side of the story.
a few words; a single word
The kanji 片 (one-sided, fragment) and 言 (word, speech) combine to mean 'fragmentary words' or 'one-sided statement'. The reading へんげん is the on'yomi of both characters.