泣き言

• Reading: なきごと
• Romaji: nakigoto
• Kanji breakdown: 泣 (kyu/na) — cry, weep; 言 (gen/ko) — word, speech
• Pronunciation: /na.ki.ɡo.to/

Meaning

Whining; complaining; griping. Spoken laments or excuses that express weakness or self-pity rather than taking constructive action.

A noun from 泣き (naki — crying, lamenting) and 言 (goto — words, talk). 泣き言を言う means to whine or make excuses. Carries a mildly dismissive connotation — implying that the speaker is giving in to weakness rather than dealing with a problem. Often used in phrases like 泣き言を言うな (stop whining) or similar exhortations to persevere.

Examples

1. 泣き言を言っても状況は変わらない。前を向くしかない。 Whining won't change the situation. There's nothing for it but to look ahead.
2. 辛いことがあっても滅多に泣き言を言わない人が、周囲から信頼される。 People who rarely complain even when things are hard are the ones trusted by those around them.
3. 泣き言ばかり言っていると、誰にも相談しにくくなるよ。 If you keep complaining all the time, people will find it hard to come to you with their problems.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday conversation, motivational speech, interpersonal relations

Tone: dismissive

Origin & History

From 泣き (naki — crying, lamenting) and 言 (goto/koto — words, speech). Literally means crying words — the kind of speech that amounts to helpless weeping in verbal form.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal