also: からねんぶつ
empty words; lip service; insincere chanting
Literally 'empty nembutsu', referring to chanting a Buddhist prayer without sincerity. Figuratively, it means saying something without real feeling or commitment, like paying lip service.
His apology was nothing more than empty words.
口先だけの空念仏では誰も納得しない。
Mere lip service won't convince anyone.