Japanese word

嘘つき

Pronunciation

Romajiusotsuki

Meaning

  • nounliar

Example

彼は嘘つきです。kare wa uso tsu ki de su

He is a liar.

Illustration for 嘘つき (liar)

More examples

子どもに嘘つきと思われたくありません。ko do mo ni uso tsu ki to omo wa re ta ku a ri ma se n

I do not want children to think I am a liar.

Core concept

Describes a person who presents false statements as if they were true.

Common phrases

  • 嘘つき呼ばわりuso tsu ki yo ba wa ri

    calling someone a liar

  • 嘘つき扱いuso tsu ki atsuka i

    treating someone as a liar

  • 大嘘つきō uso tsu ki

    a big liar

Similar words

欺瞞者gimansha: A person who deliberately deceives others by hiding or distorting the truth.
ほら吹きhorafuki: A person who makes exaggerated or untrue claims to impress or entertain others.

Definition in Japanese

本当ではないことを言う人。hon tō de wa na i ko to o i u hito

Word origin

嘘つき (usotsuki) combines 嘘 (uso, "lie") with つき (tsuki), the noun-forming form of つく (tsuku, "to tell"), as in 嘘をつく (uso o tsuku, "to tell a lie").

Usage tips

  • The noun 嘘つき (usotsuki) can sound teasing among children but accusatory in serious conversation, so context affects its force.

Opposites

  • 正直者shōjikimonohonest personnoun

Word lists with this word