御託

• Reading: ごたく
• Romaji: gotaku
• Kanji breakdown: 御 (go) — honorific prefix | 託 (taku) — entrust, oracle
• Pronunciation: /ɡo.ta.kɯ/

Meaning

Tedious, long-winded talk; pompous excuses; tiresome self-justifying speech.

A noun usually used in phrases like 御託を並べる (to rattle off excuses) or 御託はいらない (no need for your long-winded speech). Originally 託宣 referred to a divine oracle — 御託宣 — but the shortened 御託 came to be used ironically for anyone who speaks at unnecessary length with self-important pomposity. Carries a clear tone of impatience from the listener.

Examples

1. 御託を並べる前に、まず自分で動いて実績を示せと上司に言われた。 His boss told him to stop spouting excuses and start showing results through action.
2. 彼は失敗のたびに長々と御託を述べるが、肝心の反省が見えない。 Every time he fails, he launches into a long-winded justification, but you never see any real reflection.
3. 御託はいらないから、三十秒で要点だけ話してほしいと彼女は遮った。 She cut him off, saying she didn't need his pompous excuses and just wanted him to get to the point in thirty seconds.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, interpersonal friction, social commentary

Tone: impatient, critical

Origin & History

Derived from 御託宣 (oracle, divine pronouncement), shortened to 御託. Used ironically from the Edo period onward for anyone who speaks with the authority of an oracle but says nothing of real value.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: General