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片言隻語 (へんげんせきご) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
a few words ; a single word
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
Used in negative or minimal contexts to emphasize that not even a few words are spoken or written. Often appears in phrases like 片言隻語も漏らさない (not to utter a single word).
その 手て 紙がみ に は 片へん 言げん 隻せき 語ご の 謝しゃ 罪ざい も なかっ た 。
There wasn't even a word of apology in the letter.
Kanji 隻 vessels, counter for ships, fish Etymology A yojijukugo composed of 片 (fragment), 言 (word), 隻 (one of a pair), and 語 (word), literally 'fragmentary words and a single word'. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern of combining near-synonymous characters to emphasize minimality.
