Japanese word

うそをつく

Pronunciation

Romajiusootsuku

Meaning

  • verbtell a lie

Example

わたしはうそをつきません。wa ta shi wa u so o tsu ki ma se n

I do not tell lies.

Illustration for うそをつく (tell a lie)

More examples

友達にうそをついて、あとで謝りました。tomo dachi ni u so o tsu i te a to de ayama ri ma shi ta

I lied to my friend and apologized later.

Core concept

It describes putting an untrue statement into words instead of reporting what is known to be true.

Common phrases

  • 人にうそをつくhito ni u so o tsu ku

    lie to someone

  • 平気でうそをつくhei ki de u so o tsu ku

    lie without hesitation

  • 小さなうそをつくchii sa na u so o tsu ku

    tell a small lie

Similar words

偽るitsuwaru: To present something false as true or hide the truth.

Definition in Japanese

本当でないことを言う。hon tō de na i ko to o yū

Word origin

In うそをつく (uso o tsuku), うそ (uso, "lie") is the noun, を (o) marks it as the object, and つく (tsuku) corresponds to 吐く (tsuku, "to utter or expel").

Usage tips

  • The phrase is common in everyday conversation and can describe a false statement made to avoid trouble, protect a surprise, or play a joke.

Other meanings

  • fibverb

Related words

  • うそつきusotsukiliarnoun

Word lists with this word