毒舌

• Reading: どくぜつ
• Romaji: dokuzetsu
• Kanji breakdown: 毒 (doku) — poison, venom; 舌 (zetsu) — tongue
• Pronunciation: /do.ku.ze.tsɯ/

Meaning

A sharp or cutting tongue; the tendency to make biting, sarcastic, or caustic remarks with wit and precision.

A noun describing speech characterised by wit laced with cruelty or pointed criticism. Unlike simple rudeness, 毒舌 implies a kind of flair or intelligence behind the venom — it can be admired as incisive humour. A person known for it is a 毒舌家 (dokuzetsu-ka). In literary criticism, 毒舌 refers to scathing reviews or caustic satirical writing that cuts through pretension.

Examples

1. あの評論家の毒舌は業界でも有名で、新人作家を震え上がらせる。 That critic's sharp tongue is famous in the industry and makes new authors tremble.
2. 彼女の毒舌は嫌いではないが、時に傷つく人がいることも事実だ。 I don't dislike her biting remarks, but it's true that they sometimes hurt people.
3. 毒舌キャラとして売り出した芸人も、実際の素顔は穏やかだと聞いた。 I've heard that the comedian who built his brand on a sharp-tongued persona is actually quite mild-mannered in real life.

Usage Guide

Context: comedy, literary criticism, media, interpersonal

Tone: sharp

Origin & History

Compound of 毒 (poison, venom) and 舌 (tongue). The image of a poisoned tongue captures the venomous quality of speech that wounds or unsettles rather than simply informs.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: General