独り言

• Reading: ひとりごと
• Romaji: hitorigoto
• Kanji breakdown: 独 (hitori) — alone, single; 言 (goto) — words, speech
• Pronunciation: /hi.to.ɾi.go.to/

Meaning

Talking to oneself; soliloquy; monologue; muttering words without addressing anyone.

A noun describing speech directed at no one in particular — muttering, thinking aloud, or talking to oneself. Common expressions include 独り言を言う (to talk to oneself) and 独り言をつぶやく (to mutter to oneself). Often used humorously or self-deprecatingly when caught speaking aloud. Also written as ひとりごと in hiragana.

Examples

1. 集中しているとき無意識に独り言を言ってしまう。 When I'm concentrating, I unconsciously start talking to myself.
2. 独り言が多い人は頭の回転が速いらしい。 Apparently people who talk to themselves a lot have fast-working minds.
3. 隣の席の人が独り言をつぶやいていて気になった。 The person sitting next to me was muttering to themselves, which I found distracting.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, workplace, humour, psychology

Tone: light

Origin & History

From native Japanese 独り (hitori, alone/by oneself) + 言 (goto/koto, words/speech). Literally 'solitary words,' describing speech uttered when alone or without an intended listener.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal