口利き

• Reading: くちきき
• Romaji: kuchikiki
• Kanji breakdown: 口 (kō/kuchi) — mouth, speech; 利 (ri/ki) — advantage, skilled use
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.tɕi.ki.ki/

Meaning

Mediation; intercession; influence peddling. Using personal connections or position to facilitate something for another, often implying improper use of political influence.

A noun with a range of connotations from neutral (speaking on someone's behalf or making an introduction) to negative (influence peddling — using political position to benefit third parties in exchange for gifts or money, 口利きあっせん). In political contexts, 口利き often implies corruption: a politician lobbying a ministry on behalf of a donor or constituent. Rarely, it can also mean 'someone eloquent' (a person skilled in speech), though this usage is largely archaic.

Examples

1. 議員が業者に有利な行政処分を求めて口利きをした疑いで、捜査が始まった。 An investigation began into suspicions that a politician had intervened to seek an administrative decision favourable to a contractor.
2. 就職活動では知人に口利きを頼み、面接の機会をもらったという人も多い。 Many people say they asked an acquaintance to put in a word for them during job hunting and obtained an interview opportunity.
3. 口利きによる利益誘導が横行する社会では、公正な競争が損なわれる。 In a society where influence peddling for personal benefit is rife, fair competition is undermined.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, corruption, networking, society

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 口 (mouth/speech) and 利き (skilled use of, ability). Literally 'skilled use of the mouth,' originally meaning eloquence or speaking on another's behalf, which over time acquired the connotation of using one's social or political influence to broker outcomes.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal