高言

• 読み: こうげん
• ローマ字: kougen takai
• 漢字の分解: 高 (kou) — high, lofty | 言 (gen) — words, speech
• 発音: /koː.ɡen/

意味

Boasting; bragging; big talk. Grandiose statements that exceed what one can actually deliver.

A noun combining 高 (high, lofty) and 言 (words). Describes speech that places oneself or one's plans at an exaggeratedly high level, often with the implication that reality will fall short. Slightly literary or formal in register. Often appears in the pattern 高言を吐く (to utter boasts). Contrasts with 苦言 (honest criticism) and 謙遜 (modesty).

例文

1. 高言を吐いた割には結果が伴わず、周囲の失笑を買った。
2. 高言ばかりで行動しない人間が、組織の士気を下げる原因になっていた。
3. 相手の高言に動じることなく、淡々と実力で応えればよい。

使い方ガイド

場面: criticism, literature, social commentary

トーン: critical

起源と歴史

Compound of 高 (kou) meaning 'high, lofty, exalted' and 言 (gen) meaning 'words, speech'. The image is of speech elevated far above what the speaker can substantiate.

文化的背景

時代: Classical–Modern

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Educated