also: きょごん
noun
A somewhat formal or literary term for a lie or false statement; often used in written or serious contexts.
彼の言葉は虚言に過ぎなかった。
His words were nothing but lies.
虚言を弄する者は信用を失う。
Those who play with falsehoods lose trust.
Compound of 虚 (kyo, 'false, empty') and 言 (gen, 'word, speech'). The reading きょごん is a less common variant.