Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

絵空事 (esoragoto) Japanese meaning: fabrication | Kotomora

絵え空そら事ごと

え

そ

ら

ご

と

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

fabrication; pipe dream; fantasy

Refers to something completely made up, an unrealistic idea, or a groundless story. Often used critically to dismiss impractical plans or lies.

彼かれの話はなしは所しょ詮せん絵え空

そら

事ごと

に

過す

ぎ

ない

。

His story is nothing more than a fabrication after all.

そんな計けい画かくは絵え空そら事ごとだ。

That plan is just a pipe dream.

Kanji

絵picture, drawing, painting
空empty, sky, void
事matter, thing, fact

Related words

虚きょ言げん
虚言 is a more formal or literary term for a lie or falsehood, while 絵空事 emphasizes the fanciful, unrealistic nature of the fabrication.
夢ゆめ物もの語がたり
夢物語 is a dreamlike tale or fantasy, often with a more romantic or wistful nuance, whereas 絵空事 is more critical and dismissive.

Built from

絵え+空そら事ごと

Etymology

From 絵, “picture,” and 空事, “fabrication, falsehood.” It originally expressed the idea that a picture differs from reality because the artist adds exaggeration or idealization, then broadened to an unreal or fanciful claim.