Japanese word

口癖

Pronunciation

Romajikuchiguse

Meaning

  • nouncatchphrase

Example

姉の口癖は「本当に？」です。ane no kuchi guse wa hon tō ni de su

My sister's catchphrase is "Really?"

Illustration for 口癖 (catchphrase)

More examples

会話の中で相手の口癖に気づきました。kai wa no naka de ai te no kuchi guse ni ki zu ki ma shi ta

I noticed the other person's catchphrase during the conversation.

Core concept

Refers to a repeated word or expression that marks a person's usual way of speaking.

Common phrases

  • 口癖を直すkuchi guse o nao su

    stop using a catchphrase

  • 口癖があるkuchi guse ga a ru

    have a catchphrase

  • 口癖になるkuchi guse ni na ru

    become a catchphrase

  • 口癖をまねるkuchi guse o ma ne ru

    imitate a catchphrase

Similar words

決め台詞kimezerifu: A distinctive line used by a person or character at a memorable moment or in a performance.
決まり文句kimarimonku: A fixed phrase used repeatedly in particular situations or by particular people.
常套句jōtōku: A conventional phrase used so often that it can sound predictable.

Definition in Japanese

人が話すときに無意識によく繰り返す言葉や言い回し。hito ga hana su to ki ni mu i shiki ni yo ku ku ri kae su koto ba ya i i mawa shi

Word origin

口癖 (kuchiguse) combines 口 (kuchi, "mouth") and 癖 (kuse, "habit"), giving the sense of a speech habit.

Usage tips

  • A catchphrase may be deliberately memorable in English, but it can also refer to a phrase repeated habitually without any intention to entertain.

Other meanings

  • pet phrasenoun
  • stock phrasenoun

Word lists with this word