饒舌

• Reading: じょうぜつ
• Romaji: jouzetsu
• Kanji breakdown: 饒 (jō) — abundant, plentiful (rare kanji); 舌 (zetsu/shita) — tongue, speech
• Pronunciation: /dʑoː.ze.tsɯ/

Meaning

Talkative; loquacious; garrulous; voluble. Describes a tendency to talk a great deal, often more than is necessary or welcome.

A na-adjective (and noun) that carries a mildly negative connotation, suggesting the person speaks excessively rather than meaningfully. However, it can also be used neutrally or even admiringly in contexts such as skilled oratory. Unlike 多弁 (verbose), 饒舌 often implies a flowing, unstoppable quality to the speech.

Examples

1. 彼は普段は寡黙なのに、好きなテーマになると途端に饒舌になる。 He's usually a man of few words, but the moment a topic he loves comes up, he becomes incredibly talkative.
2. 饒舌な弁護士の口から次々と証拠が提示され、法廷を圧倒した。 Evidence after evidence poured from the loquacious lawyer's lips, overwhelming the courtroom.
3. 酒が入ると饒舌になる人は多く、本音が出やすいとも言われる。 Many people become talkative after a few drinks, and it's said their true feelings come out more easily.

Usage Guide

Context: character description, rhetoric, social, criticism

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Compound of 饒 (jō, abundant/rich) and 舌 (zetsu, tongue). Literally an abundant tongue — an image of words flowing freely and in large quantity.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated