Japanese Conversation · Level 102
60 words
Japanese word
過言
Pronunciation
Romajikagon
Meaning
- nounexaggeration
Example
彼を天才と言っても過言ではありません。kare o ten sai to i tte mo ka gon de wa a ri ma se n
It is no exaggeration to call him a genius.
More examples
専門家ではない私がそう断言するのは過言かもしれません。sen mon ka de wa na i watashi ga sō dan gen su ru no wa ka gon ka mo shi re ma se n
It may be an exaggeration for a non-expert like me to make such a definite statement.
Core concept
Refers to presenting something as more impressive, serious, or extensive than the facts support.
Common phrases
と言っても過言ではないto i tte mo ka gon de wa na i
it is no exaggeration to say
過言ではないka gon de wa na i
not an exaggeration
過言かもしれないka gon ka mo shi re na i
may be an exaggeration
過言とまでは言えないka gon to ma de wa i e na i
cannot quite be called an exaggeration
Similar words
誇張kochō: A way of presenting something as greater, stronger, or more important than it really is.
言い過ぎiisugi: A statement that goes beyond what the facts or situation justify.
大げさōgesa: A manner of describing something as more serious, impressive, or dramatic than it is.
Definition in Japanese
実際以上に大きく言い表すこと。jis sai i jō ni ō ki ku i i arawa su ko to
Word origin
過言 (kagon) is formed from 過 (ka, "over or excessive") and 言 (gon, "speech or statement"), giving the sense of excessive speech.
Usage tips
- 過言 (kagon) often appears in と言っても過言ではない (to ittemo kagon de wa nai), which means that a statement is accurate despite sounding strong.