一言 (hitokoto) means “a few words” | MotiTan Japanese Dictionary

More examples

彼はその質問に一言で答えました。kare wa so no shitsu mon ni hito koto de kota e ma shi ta

He answered the question in a few words.

Covers a small, bounded piece of speech used as a brief remark or response.

一口hitokuchi: A short comment or opinion stated in a few words.
発言hatsugen: A statement made aloud in a conversation or discussion.

短い言葉や簡単な発言。mijika i koto ba ya kan tan na hatsu gen

The noun 一言 (hitokoto, "a few words") combines 一 (hito, "one") and 言 (koto, "word or speech"), giving the sense of a short utterance.

In Japanese requests, 一言 (hitokoto) can invite a short comment, so it often corresponds to the English phrase "a few words" rather than exactly one word.